Introductory Prompt Phrases

Below are a selection of phrases that you can use to start your talk. Use these phrases to lead into
your introduction:

 Today, I’d like to talk to you about….

 In this talk, I’m going to describe to you how….
 I want to tell you about….
 Today, I would like to discuss…
 Good morning/Good afternoon. Today, I want to give you a short talk on…
Phrases to Begin the Main Body of Your Speech
Once you’ve introduced your topic you will want to move on to the main body of your speech. Here
are some prompt phrases to transition you from your introduction to your main idea:

 First of all….
 And why do I like it so much? Well, it….
 To begin with….
 One of the most interesting things about….
 This is the most important day/thing in my life because…
Phrases to Help Develop Your Idea

Now that you are into discussing your idea your will want to give some background detail and give
some reasons and examples to develop your theme. There are lots of useful phrases you can use
here to link your ideas. Here are just a few:

 Another reason why I like …..

 Moreover it….
 One of the main advantages…
 For instance…..
 One of the consequences….
 This appeals to me, because…
 I get a a lot of pleasure out of….
 I am very fond of….
 Another unusual fact about….
 I like … more than anything else because….

Conclusion Phrases
After discussing your topic, you will want to conclude your speech and give the examiner a quick one
line summary of what you just told him/her. To start this part of the speech, you will want to begin with
something like:

 In conclusion,…
 To wrap up,….
 To conclude,….
 To sum up,….
1. Opening Statements

How you open your statements is your first opportunity to impress the examiner. Making a good first
impression will boost your chance of getting a high band score.

Examples:
  Today, I’d like to share with you about…
 In this talk, I’m going to tell you how…
 I want to tell you about…
 Today, I would like to discuss…
 Today, I want to give you a short talk on…

2. Closing statements

The manner in how you end your statements plays a vital role in the IELTS speaking test too. It shows
how fluent you are and how coherent your responses are.

Examples:

 In conclusion…
 To sum up…
 To summarize…
 To conclude…
 As a whole…
 So all in all…

3. Beginning the Main Body of Your Speech

Once you are asked a question or given a topic to talk about, be creative and use phrases and
expressions that the examiner will find appealing.

Examples:

 First and foremost….

 And why do I find it so appealing? It is, after all….
 To begin with…
 One of the most intriguing aspects about….
 This is the most significant day/opportunity of my life because…

4. Building on Your Idea

When you have started talking about your topic, you would want to include some background
information and some explanations and examples to help develop your topic.

Examples:

 Another reason why I like…

 One of the main advantages…
 One of the consequences…
 This appeals to me because…
 Another unusual fact about…
 I like … more than anything else because…
5. Expressing Your Opinions

You should change your words while presenting your viewpoint on a subject, just as you should when
adding personal experiences, rather than repeating the phrase ‘I think’.

Examples:

 In my opinion…
 I firmly believe that…
 From my point of view…
 It seems to me that…
 From my viewpoint…
 From my perspective…
 It appears to me that…
 I realize that…
 I understand that…

6. Speculating and Expressing Possibilities

The examiner may ask you to imagine a different setting from the one you are in or discuss the future
and weigh options in Part 2 and Part 3 of the Speaking test. Even if you have little knowledge or
strong opinions on the subject, speculating can help you deliver a more thorough response.

Examples:

 I suppose…
 It is possible…
 I would imagine that…
 I would say…
 Perhaps…
 I think it is likely/unlikely…

7. Agreeing and Disagreeing

You will be asked for your thoughts and given the option to agree or disagree in Part 3 of the IELTS
Speaking test. This is an excellent opportunity to show your conversational skills in a group setting.

Examples:

 I totally agree.
 I couldn’t agree with you more.
 You are absolutely right.
 No doubt about it.
 Definitely / Absolutely / Precisely

 I’m afraid I disagree.

 I see your point, but…
 That’s not always true.
 Not necessarily.
 That’s one way of looking at it. However…
8. Comparing and Contrasting

You will also be asked questions throughout the IELTS Speaking test that will demand you to
compare experiences, people, places, or things. It is crucial to know how to employ comparative
structures effectively for this. If you are comfortable with this language and want to take it a step
further, try utilizing adverbs to make your descriptions more detailed.

Examples:

 Similar to…
 Much the same…
 As (adjective) as …

“as fun as traveling alone”, “as enjoyable as playing the guitar”

 Same (noun) as…

“the same age as me”, “same school as my brother”

 In contrast to…
 Compared to…

9. Clarifying the Questions

Keep in mind that asking the examiner for clarification if you do not understand a question is entirely
natural and acceptable

Examples:

 I’m sorry, I didn’t get the question.

 I’m sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t catch that.
 I’m sorry, could you rephrase that?
 Could you repeat the question, please?
 Could you say that again?
 Could you explain what you mean by..?
 Could you explain the question, please?

10. Transition Words

If you want your speech to sound coherent, organized, and connected, you should use cohesive
features of transition words. These aid in the organization of your response and the demonstration of
clear connections between your ideas.

Examples:

 Also, as well as…

 Similarly, in the same way…
 Even though, despite, yet…
 So that, so, for this reason…
  For example, for instance…
 Because, since, thus, that is why…
 Actually, I have to say…
 On the other hand…

11. Conditionals

In the IELTS Speaking test Part 3, you are more likely to be asked conditional sentences. A
conditional sentence is a sentence that states one situation as a condition for the occurrence of
another situation. To put it simply, the basic structure underlying most conditional sentences can be
expressed as, “If this, then that.”

The most common conditional sentences covered in the IELTS Speaking test are the zero, first, and
second conditionals.

i) Zero Conditionals

They are used to describe factual situations. Both clauses are in the simple present tense.

Examples:

 When it rains, I take the bus.

 If I work from home, I don’t get salary deductions.
 I don’t eat breakfast if I am late for work.

ii) First Conditionals

They are used to express what will most likely happen in the future if a certain condition is met.
The ‘if’ phrase is normally in the present tense, and the following clause frequently includes a verb
such as ‘will,’ ‘can’, or ‘might,’.

Examples:

 If I get the required band score for IELTS, I will migrate to Canada.
 If I get promoted at work, I might buy myself a new car.
 I can bring my family to the UK if I get the required band score in IELTS.

iii) Second Conditionals

They are used to express an improbable circumstance. The ‘if’ phrase is in the past tense, whereas
the following clause frequently includes a verb such as ‘would’ or ‘could’.

Examples:

 If I were the mayor of our city, I would ban the use of plastics.
 If I won the lottery, I could afford not to work.
 I would give everyone a pay increase if I were rich.
 Phrasal Verbs Meaning

Bring up To raise a topic for discussion or consideration “I want to bring up the pos

Carry on To continue an activity or task “Please carry on with your

Come across To meet someone and find something by chance “I was at a museum when I

End up To reach or come to a place or condition “I was only planning to go w

Figure out To solve a problem or discover the answer to a question “I need to figure out a way

Fill in To complete a form or an official document “Please fill in the registratio

Give up To stop exerting an effort; to resign oneself to failure “I won’t give up chasing my

Make out To understand a person or thing’s meaning or character “I am not sure what to mak

Point out To say something to make someone aware of a fact or a circumstance “I want to point out the fac

Work out To find a solution to a problem by considering the facts “If things work out for the b

Idioms Meaning

As sick as a dog Extremely sick “My cousin was sick as a dog on the day of the concert, s

Black and blue Badly bruised “I had a hiking accident last week, and my legs were blac

“I injured my neck last year and found out when I had it c

Blessing in disguise An apparent misfortune that turns out well
a blessing in disguise.”

Blind as a bat Having very bad eyesight “I wear eyeglasses because I am blind as a bat.”

Bookworm A person who loves to read “I am a bookworm, and I have hundreds of books at hom

Break a leg A phrase used to wish someone good luck “Before going to this interview, my sister told me to brea

Child’s play Very easy “I am an engineer, and anything including numbers is a p

Day and night (1) All day long (1) “I live in the city, and I have to work day and night to
 Idioms Meaning

(2) Complete opposite (2) “I have a twin brother, and we are day and night whe

Driving me up the wall Make someone annoyed or angry. “There’s an ongoing construction just beside my apartme

Follow someone’s
Do as another person did before “My parents are both nurses, and I have decided to follow
footsteps

Get on my nerves Irritate or annoy someone “I used to live with a friend in the city, but the noise at nig

Golden opportunity An excellent chance to do something valuable “Acing the IELTS test will be a golden opportunity for me

Green light Permission to do something “My parents have finally given me the green light to stud

Green thumb Natural talent for growing plants “My mom has a green thumb, and I, unfortunately, did n

Hit the ceiling To get extremely angry “One time, my sisters and I went to a movie and came ho

Kick the bucket To die “I am not fond of extreme sports because I am afraid to k

To learn something so well; to memorize

Learn by heart “Playing the guitar is something I have learned by heart
something

To be excited in one’s surroundings and act in a silly

Like a kid in a candy store “My first out-of-the-country trip was to Disneyland in Hon
way

Makes my blood boil To get extremely angry “I always make it a point to arrive on time, and if someon

On the mend In the process of recovering from something “I was on a ski trip two weeks ago and injured my knee, I

Once in a blue moon Very rarely “I am not into sweets, and I only eat them once in a blue

Out of the blue Without warning; unexpectedly “I have an old friend I don’t have communication with an

Over the moon Extremely happy “I would be over the moon if I got a band score of 7 or hi

Piece of cake Very easy “I think that if I review and prepare enough for the IELTS

Run in the family Many members of the family have it “Playing a musical instrument runs in our family.”

To have a whale of a time Enjoy oneself very much “I had a whale of a time when I first tried scuba diving.”
 Idioms Meaning

Under the weather In low spirits “My brother was supposed to accompany me today, but

White lie A harmless lie “My friends told me my new haircut looks nice, but I know

With flying colors Complete success “I hope to finish the IELTS test with flying colors.”

Working against the clock As fast as possible “I had papers due last night, and I had to work against th