As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve encountered this question, or variations of it, countless times. While it might seem simple, “What is the latest plan you made?” can be surprisingly tricky to answer well, especially if you’re caught off guard. This article will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to confidently tackle this IELTS Speaking cue and impress your examiner.
Understanding the Question’s Purpose
The examiner isn’t looking for a groundbreaking plan. The goal is to assess your ability to:
- Use past tenses accurately and fluently.
- Demonstrate vocabulary related to planning, decision-making, and actions.
- Structure your response coherently with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Provide specific details to create a vivid and engaging narrative.
Crafting Your Response
1. Choose a Relatable and Recent Plan
Think of a plan you made recently that you can easily talk about. It doesn’t have to be something extraordinary. Examples include:
- Planning a weekend trip
- Trying a new recipe
- Organizing a study session
- Rearranging your room
2. Structure Your Answer Using the PAR Method
The PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method provides a clear and logical structure for your response:
- Problem/Reason: Briefly state the reason for making the plan.
- “I was feeling a bit burnt out from work…”
- “My friends and I were looking for something fun to do…”
- Action: Describe the plan itself. Use specific details!
- “I decided to book a weekend getaway to the coast.”
- “We planned to try out a new Italian restaurant that had just opened.”
- Result (optional): Briefly mention the outcome or your feelings about the plan.
- “It was the perfect way to relax and recharge.”
- “The food was amazing, and we had a wonderful time catching up.”
3. Use Rich Vocabulary
Showcase your vocabulary range by using a variety of verbs, adverbs, and adjectives related to planning:
- Instead of “make a plan,” say “devise, organize, arrange, schedule.”
- Instead of “good,” say “fantastic, enjoyable, productive.”
- Use time expressions like “recently,” “just the other day,” “last week,” to convey recency.
Study Session Preparation
Example Response
“The latest plan I made was actually just last week. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with my studies, so I decided to organize a study session with some classmates. We arranged to meet at a local café that has a quiet study area. We divided up the material we needed to cover and helped each other understand the more challenging concepts. It was a really productive session, and I felt much more confident about the upcoming exam.”
Tips for Success
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice talking about your plans, the more natural and confident you’ll sound.
- Don’t memorize answers. The examiner will easily detect a rehearsed response. Focus on developing your fluency and vocabulary.
- Use a variety of tenses. While the question focuses on the past, don’t be afraid to use present or future tenses when appropriate.
- Be enthusiastic! Speaking about something you’re genuinely interested in will make your response more engaging.
Conclusion
Remember, the “latest plan” question is an opportunity to showcase your language skills in a conversational setting. By choosing a relatable topic, structuring your response effectively, and using rich vocabulary, you can impress the examiner and boost your IELTS Speaking score!