IELTS Speaking Syllabus

Speaking syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Speaking in IELTS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Understanding the Speaking Test

   2 topics

   • Overview of the Speaking Test
   • Parts of the Speaking Test
2. 2

   Strategies for the Speaking Test

   4 topics

   • Building Fluency and Coherence
   • Pronunciation Tips
   • Using Advanced Vocabulary
   • Handling Nervousness
3. 3

   Practice Tests

   3 topics

   • Mock Speaking Sessions
   • Common Topics and Questions
   • Self-evaluation Techniques

Speaking flashcards for IELTS

25 of 51 cards from the Speaking deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. How long does the IELTS Speaking test last in total?

   11 to 14 minutes.

2. What is the format of the IELTS Speaking test?

   A one-on-one, face-to-face (or video-call) interview between a single candidate and a certified examiner.

3. How many parts does the IELTS Speaking test have?

   Three parts: Part 1 (Introduction and Interview), Part 2 (Individual Long Turn / Cue Card), and Part 3 (Two-way Discussion).

4. Is the IELTS Speaking test recorded?

   Yes. Every test is audio-recorded, both for marking accuracy and in case a re-mark is requested.

5. What are the four criteria used to score IELTS Speaking?

   Fluency and Coherence; Lexical Resource (vocabulary); Grammatical Range and Accuracy; and Pronunciation.

6. How much does each of the four Speaking criteria contribute to the final Speaking band?

   Each criterion is weighted equally, contributing 25% to the overall Speaking band score.

7. On what scale is the IELTS Speaking band reported?

   On the 9-band scale, from Band 1 (non-user) to Band 9 (expert user), reported in whole and half bands.

8. How long does Part 1 of the Speaking test last, and what does it cover?

   4 to 5 minutes; the examiner asks familiar questions about yourself and everyday topics such as home, work, studies, hobbies, and family.

9. What happens in Part 2 (the Long Turn) of the Speaking test?

   You receive a cue card with a topic, get 1 minute to prepare (with paper and pencil), then speak alone for 1 to 2 minutes; the examiner may ask one or two rounding-off questions afterward.

10. How much preparation time are you given in Part 2, and for how long must you speak?

    1 minute to prepare and take notes, then you must speak for between 1 and 2 minutes.

11. What is the focus of Part 3 of the Speaking test?

    A two-way discussion of 4 to 5 minutes exploring more abstract ideas and opinions connected to the Part 2 topic.

12. How does Part 3 differ from Part 1 in the type of questions asked?

    Part 1 asks concrete, personal, everyday questions, whereas Part 3 asks abstract, analytical questions requiring opinions, comparisons, speculation, and justification.

13. Define 'fluency' as assessed in IELTS Speaking.

    The ability to speak at a natural pace and length without excessive hesitation, unnatural pausing, self-correction, or repetition.

14. Define 'coherence' as assessed in IELTS Speaking.

    The ability to link ideas and language together logically so that speech is easy to follow, using connectives and clear sequencing.

15. Give three examples of discourse markers (linking words) that improve coherence.

    For example: 'on the other hand', 'as a result', 'to begin with', 'in addition', 'however', and 'what I mean is'.

16. What common filler words should be minimized to improve fluency?

    Fillers such as 'um', 'er', 'like', 'you know', and 'basically' should be reduced, though occasional natural pausing is acceptable.

17. What technique helps a candidate keep talking when they lose their train of thought?

    Using paraphrasing and 'stalling' phrases (e.g., 'That's an interesting question, let me think...') to buy time while staying on topic.

18. Why is speaking at length (extending answers) important for the Fluency and Coherence score?

    Short, one-word answers give the examiner too little language to assess and suggest limited fluency; developing answers with reasons and examples demonstrates range and coherence.

19. Distinguish between 'intonation' and 'stress' in pronunciation.

    Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice pitch across an utterance; stress is the emphasis placed on particular syllables or words to convey meaning.

20. What is 'word stress' and why does it matter for intelligibility?

    Word stress is the emphasis on a particular syllable within a word (e.g., PHO-to-graph vs pho-TOG-ra-phy); placing it wrongly can make words hard to understand.

21. What is 'sentence stress' in English pronunciation?

    Emphasizing the key content words (nouns, main verbs, adjectives) while reducing function words, which gives English its natural rhythm.

22. What are 'connected speech' features such as linking?

    Natural blending of sounds between words, e.g., linking a final consonant to a following vowel ('an apple' → 'anapple'), which makes speech sound fluent and native-like.

23. Does a candidate need a British or American accent to score Band 9 in pronunciation?

    No. Any accent is acceptable; what matters is that speech is clear, intelligible, and uses a full range of pronunciation features effortlessly.

24. What pronunciation feature involves grouping words into meaningful units separated by short pauses?

    Chunking (thought grouping), which helps listeners follow ideas and reflects natural rhythm.

25. What is 'lexical resource' in the IELTS Speaking criteria?

    The range and accuracy of vocabulary a candidate can use, including idioms, collocations, and topic-specific words, plus the ability to paraphrase.

See more Speaking flashcards →

Planning Speaking for IELTS

Speaking (IELTS) FAQ