The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in English. While it might seem daunting, understanding common topics and preparing thoughtful responses can significantly boost your confidence and performance. One such recurring theme is “family,” particularly the question “What do your family do?”. This seemingly simple question can actually offer a rich opportunity to showcase your language skills.
Understanding the Question’s Intent
Examiners aren’t simply looking for a list of professions when they ask, “What do your family do?”. They are interested in:
- Your ability to describe occupations: Can you accurately and vividly portray what your family members do for a living?
- Vocabulary range: Do you possess a diverse vocabulary related to jobs, careers, and industries?
- Grammar accuracy: Can you utilize the present simple tense and other relevant grammatical structures correctly?
- Fluency and coherence: Can you deliver your response smoothly and logically, connecting your ideas effectively?
Crafting Your Response
Here’s how to approach this question strategically:
1. Go Beyond Simple Descriptions: Instead of saying, “My father is a doctor,” elaborate by adding context or details about their specialization, workplace, or typical day.
- Example: “My father is a cardiologist, which means he specializes in heart health. He works at the city hospital and often has long shifts performing surgeries and consulting with patients.”
2. Highlight Interesting Aspects: If a family member has a unique or unconventional profession, don’t hesitate to mention it! This can make your answer more engaging.
- Example: “My aunt is a freelance photographer. She travels all over the world, capturing stunning landscapes and wildlife. Her work has even been featured in National Geographic!”
3. Connect to Your Own Experiences: If possible, briefly relate your family’s occupations to your own life, aspirations, or perspectives.
- Example: “My mother is a teacher, and her passion for education has definitely influenced me. I admire her dedication to her students.”
4. Use Linking Words and Phrases: Employ transition words like “whereas,” “on the other hand,” “similarly,” and “in addition to” to create smooth transitions between ideas.
5. Practice Makes Perfect: Practice speaking about your family’s occupations beforehand. This will help you recall vocabulary and structure your thoughts more effectively during the exam.
Sample Answer from a Real IELTS Exam
Examiner: What do your family do?
Candidate: Well, my father works as an engineer for a large construction company. He’s been in that field for over 20 years and has worked on some impressive projects, like bridges and skyscrapers. My mother, on the other hand, is a stay-at-home mom. She dedicated her time to raising my siblings and me, which I’m incredibly grateful for. Now that we’re older, she’s considering going back to school to pursue a degree in social work.
Analysis: This candidate provides specific details about their father’s profession and experience. They also use “on the other hand” to contrast their parents’ roles and add a personal touch by mentioning their mother’s future plans.
Final Tips
- Stay Positive: Speak positively about your family, even if their jobs aren’t particularly glamorous.
- Be Honest: There’s no need to invent elaborate stories. Simply share truthfully and authentically.
- Relax and Be Yourself: The examiner wants to hear you speak naturally and confidently.
Remember, the “What do your family do?” question is not a test of your family’s status or achievements. It’s an opportunity for you to demonstrate your English language proficiency in a relatable and engaging way.