IELTS SUPERIOR SPEAKING P108
SPEAKING PART 2 TIPS
When you make notes, only write down the key points and not every detail of
your speech in full sentences. So what are the key points? Key points are ideas
in 1 or 2 words so that when you look at them, you immediately know what to
say and how to keep talking.
Remember its difficult talking for 2 minutes so making the right notes is
essential for success in Part 2. Even though the topic card will give you 4 points
to help you with ideas on how to develop your conversation, this is often not
enough for most people, so making more notes will ensure you can keep
speaking for 2 minutes.
Too often students make notes that do not assist them much at all. The
following will teach you how to make the best notes for the 5 most common
topics in part 2: people, places, things/objects, activities, time/events.
Students notes on the topic Describe a famous person
1. Jackie Chan
2. Big nose
3. Strong
4. Good body
5. A little short
6. Rush hour
7. Shanghai noon
8. Hong Kong Kung Fu movies
9. About 50/60 years olds
10.Married
11.2 kids I think
Are these good notes? NO
Why not? Many points could be grouped together but arent. The order is
illogical.
Better notes may look like this:
1. Jakie Chan
2. Background information
3. Appearance
4. Movies
Are these better notes? YES
Why? Points 2 to 5 of the students notes are grouped together under
appearance. Point 6 to 8 are grouped under movies. Point 9 to 11 are grouped
under background information
The right notes look like this:
1. Name
2. Background information
3. Appearance
4. Personality
5. Job/study
6. Lifestyle
7. Accomplishments
8. What I like/dislike
9. Influence
Are these the right notes? YES
Why? The notes are very general and different from each other (if they are too
similar or specific it will be difficult to expand upon). These notes can be used
to describe any person not just Jackie Chan so you only have to remember one
set of notes for each types of Part 2 topic.
Below are notes you can generally use for most topics. However you may need
to pick and choose.
Describing places
1. Location
2. Scenery
3. Attractions
4. Industry
5. Amenities
6. People
7. Food
8. History
9. Good/bad points
Describing people
1. Name
2. Background information
3. Appearance
4. Personality
5. Job/studies
6. Lifestyle
7. Accomplishments
8. Influence
9. What I like/dislike
Describing objects
1. Background
2. Appearance
3. Functions
4. Differences between similar objects
5. Good/bad points
Describing time/events
1. Time
2. Place
3. Significance
4. Background
5. People
6. Activities
Describing activities
1. Where
2. When
3. Who
4. How
5. Equipment
6. Good/bad points
Introductory statements
The following sentences are ways of starting your Part 2 talk. They are very
general statements and can be used for a variety of topics. Be aware however
that they cannot be used for absolutely every topic. The following topic card
will be used to show you how they can be used.
Describe a TV programme you find informative.
You should say:
What it is
What content it has
How often you can watch it
And explain why you like it
1. There are a number of (topic) but the one Id particularly like to mention
today is (your answer)
There are a number of TV programmes I find informative but the one Id
particularly like to mention today is Super structures on Discovery.
2. When talking about (topic), its worth pointing out (your answers)
When talking about TV programmes I find informative, its worth pointing out
Super structures on Discovery.
3. In regards to (topic), (your answer) rates/ deserves a mention.
In regards to TV programmes I find informative, Super structures on
Discovery rates a mention.
4. If I have to say a few words on (topic), Id like to bring up (your answer).
If I have to say a few words on TV programmes I find informative ,Id like to
bring up Super structures on Discovery.
5. There is one (topic) that I always enjoy talking about and that is (your
answers)
There is one TV programmes that I always enjoy talking about and that is Super
structures on Discovery.
6. To tell you the truth, I dont have much to say on (topic) but Ill try do my
best to talk about (your answer)
To tell you the truth, I dont have much to say on TV programmes but Ill try do
my best to talk about Super structures on Discovery.
SAMPLE TOPICS AND SAMPLE ANSWERS
Sample topics are listed below followed by a sample answer. Pay particular
attention to how each note is expanded on so as to fulfill the 2-minute limit.
P112
