My IELTS Classroom Podcast

IELTS Speaking Part One - Six Common Mistakes

June 09, 2020 Shelly Cornick and Nick Lone Episode 11
My IELTS Classroom Podcast
IELTS Speaking Part One - Six Common Mistakes
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Although the first part of the IELTS speaking test should be the easiest as you are asked questions all about yourself, you still want to make sure that you get off to a strong start. So, today, Nick and I look at six common errors that students make in IELTS Speaking Part 1 and how you can avoid them. You can find the full episode notes for this episode and a transcript of the conversation at http://podcast.myieltsclassroom.com/

Episode Notes

While it's true that the examiner will have nowhere near enough information at the end of Part 1 to determine your final score, they will have a very good general impression by the time you move on to the cue card. I have always felt that Part 1 is not the place where you gain a high score but it can definitely be the place where you can lose one. The questions here are basic but can highlight problems with tense and grammar that might not appear in other parts of the test, so you want to make sure that your answers are accurate and as error-free as possible. That means avoiding the following six mistakes

That means avoiding the following six mistakes

  1. Memorising answers
  2. Trying to "force" idiomatic language into your responses
  3. Using the wrong tense to answer a question
  4. Always answering the questions with "yes" and "no" 
  5. Counting your sentences
  6. Not responding naturally to "strange questions"

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Introduction
A quick review basic facts about IELTS Speaking Part 1 
How much does Part 1 contribute to your final score?
Common Mistake 1 - Memorising answers!
Common Mistake 2 - Trying to "force" idiomatic language into your responses! 
Common Mistake 3 - Using the wrong tense!
Common Mistake 4 - Always answering the questions with "yes" and "no"!  
Common Mistake 5 - Counting your sentences!
Common Mistake 6 - Not responding naturally to "strange questions"!