IELTS Speaking (Band 6.5 – 7.

0)

1. Introduction to IELTS Speaking

 Format: Face-to-face (or video call) interview; 11–14 minutes, recorded.
1. Part 1 – Introduction & Interview (4–5 min): personal topics
(home, work, hobbies).
2. Part 2 – Long Turn / “Cue-Card” (3–4 min): 1-minute preparation,
1–2-minute talk + follow-up question.
3. Part 3 – Discussion (4–5 min): abstract questions related to Part 2
topic.
 Band 6.5–7.0 snapshot: speaks at length with only occasional
hesitation, uses a wide range of vocabulary and grammar naturally,
produces clear, natural pronunciation with minor slips.

2. IELTS Speaking Scoring Rubric (Public

Descriptors)
Criterion What Examiners Listen For
• Speaks without unnatural pauses or repetition.• Ideas
Fluency & Coherence
logically ordered; uses discourse markers &
(F&C)
self-corrections appropriately.
• Wide range of vocabulary to discuss unfamiliar
Lexical Resource
topics.• Some idiomatic language & collocations;
(LR)
accurate style/register.
Grammatical Range • Variety of complex, compound sentences; accurate
& Accuracy (GRA) tense control.• Majority of clauses error-free.
• Easy to understand; clear word stress & intonation
Pronunciation
patterns.• Effective use of chunking, connected speech,
(PRON)
and rhythm.

Each criterion counts 25 % toward the overall Speaking band.

Master degree

- Lexical use: obtain = attain = get = acquire

- High-level vocabulary:
 - Juxtapose
- I love cats.i always put my pet cat next to when I study. Juxtapose
 Make sure native people understand
 Use simple word with high-level nuance

I go to school every day. -> I go/ head to school on a daily basis.

3. Essential Things to Remember on Test Day

1. First impressions: smile, sit upright, natural eye contact.
2. Listen→Pause→Answer: take a breath; show you understand the
question.
3. Extend every answer: aim for 2–3 sentences minimum in Part 1.
4. Stay on topic: direct responses score higher than tangents.
5. Use the 1-minute prep wisely (Part 2): jot key words, sequence
markers, and at least one personal anecdote.
6. Paraphrase difficult questions: buys thinking time + shows lexical
range.
7. Self-correct lightly: quick ‘I mean…’ corrections show control, not
weakness.

4. Essential Grammar Features for Band 7

Feature Function Quick Model
If I had more time[past
Complex clauses Add nuance & depth. subjunctive], I would take
up painting.
Varied tense Narrate past, I have been studying English for
control hypothesise, predict. ten years.
Modality & Express probability / It might be because people tend
hedging politeness. to follow trends.
Discourse On the whole, as far as I’m
Guide listener.
markers concerned…
Comparatives & Answer Part 3 Compared with the past, cities are
conditionals analytical questions. becoming denser.
5. Essential Lexical Features
 Topic-lexis banks: environment, technology, education, health, culture.
 Collocations & phrases: take a break, keep pace with, pose a threat.
 Idiomatic language (controlled): hit the nail on the head, a blessing in
disguise.
 Discourse fillers (natural): well, actually, to be honest (avoid over-use).
 Paraphrasing toolkit: to put it another way, in other words, what I mean
is….
 Chunking for fluency: practise 4- to 5-word “ready-made” chunks for
flow.

6. Essential Cohesive Tools

Tool Usage Example Tip
First of all… secondly…
Sequencers Great for Part 2 storytelling.
finally…
Contrast
However, on the contrary… Balance arguments in Part 3.
markers
Cause–effect Demonstrates analytical
As a result, this leads to…
links ability.
Referencing This approach, such a trend… Avoids repeating nouns.
Interactive Creates rapport with
You know, right? (moderate)
signals examiner.

7. Essential Answering Schemes & Templates

7.1 Part 1 – ‘PREP’ Model

Step Content
Point Direct answer.
Reason Short justification.
Personal or common
Example
example.
Point (return) Re-state or add nuance.

Mini-Example: Do you like reading? → “Honestly, I do. Because it helps me

relax after work. For instance, last night I immersed myself in a mystery
novel. Overall, books are my favourite escape.”
7.2 Part 2 – ‘MAP-R’ Framework

Letter Action
15–20 key words (people, place, feeling,
Mind-map
result).
Decide logical order (past → present →
Arrange
future).
Paraphrase
Opening sentence rephrasing prompt.
cue
Round-off 5–10-second conclusion linking back to topic.

Template

1. Opening: “I’m going to talk about …, which is/was …”

2. Storyline: When/Where → What happened → Why significant.
3. Feelings & reflections: adjectives + reasons.
4. Conclusion: “So, that’s why this experience really stands out for me.”

7.3 Part 3 – ‘IDEA-SEED’ Strategy

1. Introduce opinion: “In my opinion, …”

2. Define key term (optional).
3. Explain reasons (2 clear points).
4. Add example/data.
5. Speculate/compare: future trend or cross-cultural comparison.

8. Tips While Speaking

 Breath & pace: aim ~140–160 wpm; pauses at clause boundaries.
 Intonation for meaning: rise for questions, fall for statements.
 Chunk linking: connect “word groups” not single words.
 Avoid monotone: vary pitch and stress content words.
 Self-repair gracefully: sorry, what I meant was… then continue.
 Smile & gesture lightly: boosts natural delivery & confidence.
 Don’t obsess over accent: clarity outweighs native-like sound.

9. Practice Tips to Reach Band 7

1. Record-Reflect-Repeat: 3-cycle method each practice session.
 2. Shadow native audio: TED-Talk 1-minute clips; mimic stress & rhythm.
3. Timed cue-card marathons: 10 cards back-to-back, zero pausing.
4. Vocabulary notebook by theme: collocations + sample sentences.
5. Grammar flash rounds: transform simple → complex sentences aloud.
6. Peer mock tests: exchange examiner/candidate roles weekly.
7. Fluency games: 2-minute storytelling without ‘umm’ challenge.
8. Pronunciation drills: minimal pairs, word stress reversal, sentence
chunking.
9. Feedback loops: get tutor/AI transcript & annotate for errors.

Final Reminder: High-band speaking = clarity of message × linguistic

accuracy × engaging delivery. Consistent, mindful practice across all three
pillars propels you to Band 7 and beyond.

a. His existence affects my concentration.

b. His existence has an effect on my concentration.
- Be FORMAL and ACADEMIC in your word use and grammar.
- Organise and Elaborate your answer by REASONINGS.

CLAIM – EXPLANATION – EXAMPLE.

EXAMPLE – CLAIM – EXPLAIN

I don’t really think that I have the ability to answer such tough questions,
may you please change the question.

If I HAD to answer, I’d simply think that…