Chapter 2.3.1: Tips for Discussion

 Focus on Fluency: Extending Your Answers

 In this part of the test, it’s very important that you try to extend your answers, a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ is not enough. Let’s talk about how you can extend your answers in the discussion. There are some useful strategies that you can use.

First, one useful way to extend your answer and give yourself a little more time to think is to comment on the question. For example, you can start off by saying, 'That’s an interesting question.' Next, when you answer a question, try to extend your response by providing reasons and examples. Finally, you can extend your answer by giving an opinion which is based on your own knowledge and experience.

Now let’s look at some useful words and phrases that you can use when you extend your answers. 

If you want to comment on the question and give yourself a little more time to respond,you can say something like this, 'That’s an interesting question', or 'That’s a difficult question. Let me see…'. 

If you want to give a reason, you can use words such as ‘because’ or phrases such as ‘that’s why,’ or ‘you see’. 

To give an example, you might say ‘such as’, or ‘for instance’, or ‘to give you an idea’. 

To introduce your own knowledge and experience when answering the question, you could say something like this, 'in my experience', or, 'from my point of view…'.

Focus on Grammar: Past, Present, Future

 In Part 3, the examiner might ask you to talk about how something has changed over time, from the past until now, or you may be asked to give your opinion about what might be true in the future. This means that you should be able to use a variety of different verb forms to talk about the past, the present, or the future. These verb forms might include present simple, past simple, present perfect, or future forms such as 'will' and 'going' to. In the discussion part of the Speaking Test, you may be asked to speculate or predict. In other words, you may be asked to give your opinion about what might be true in the future.

Focus on Grammar: Comparison

In Parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test, you often need to compare people, places, or things. This means you should talk about the similarities and differences between two things, and maybe also say which one you prefer. Remember to give reasons and examples to support your opinions. 

Imagine an examiner asks you to compare living in the city with living in the country? What would you say?

In this case, comparative structures are very useful. And here is the structure:

..... + is/are + (-er adjective) / (more + adjective)+  than + ......

Example: 

‘Living in the country is quieter than living in the city’ , or,
‘Living in the city is more convenient than living in the country’, 

Alternatively, you can use the structure ‘A is not as adjective as B’. 

For example, ‘Living in the country is not as convenient as living in the city’, or ‘Living in the city is not as safe as living in the country’. 

You can also show similarity between two things by using the word ‘both’. For example, ‘Both the city and the country can be a good place to live’.

Here are some useful structures to show contrast. When talking about differences between two things, you can use the words ‘while’ or ‘whereas’ to connect two contrasting statements. For instance, ‘The cost of living in the city can be very high, whereas it tends to be quite low in the country’. 

You can use the phrases ‘In contrast’ or ‘On the other hand’ to show contrast. For example, ‘The cost of living in the city can be very high. On the other hand, it tends to be quite low in the country’. 

Focus on Pronunciation: Clarity

 When you speak English, how easy is it for people to understand you? Is your pronunciation as clear as it can be? Throughout the IELTS Speaking Test, the examiner will listen to you. One of the areas in which you are assessed is pronunciation. The examiner should be able to understand every word that you say in the exam. In other words, your pronunciation must be clear.

There are some useful strategies that you can use to improve the clarity of your speech.
First, think about your volume. Make sure that you speak loudly enough for the examiner to hear you. There’s no need to shout, but don’t whisper or mumble either. 

Next, think about your posture. Hold your head up and make some eye contact with the examiner while you are speaking. Don’t stare at the floor. 

Think about your pace. It’s important to have a natural pace, so try not to speak too quickly or too slowly. 

Take the time to pause occasionally and take a breath, where it’s appropriate to do so; at the end of the sentence or before beginning a new idea, for instance. But don’t take a long pause in the middle of a sentence. 

Pay attention to the endings of words, especially the consonants, like /t/ or /d/. Don’t leave your words unfinished. 

And finally, when learning new vocabulary, remember, learn the pronunciation of the word, as well as its spelling and meaning.
Learn where to stress while speaking. Let’s say that in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test, you have been having a discussion about shopping, and the examiner asks you a question about the future of shopping. In response, you say: "In the future? Well, I guess shopping will continue to change." Can you see how the words that you stress help you enhance your meaning? Now, you wouldn’t say: "In the future? Well, I guess shopping will continue to change." because this would be very unnatural and also unclear.

https://view.vzaar.com/3510638/video