Ielts speaking--how to improve your bandscore

How can a candidate improve vocabulary and speak in more natural
English?
Preparation must be done over a period of time—not the night before your
scheduled IELTS examination. Part of this preparation is vocabulary
enhancement and expressions relating to the different topics that you will be
asked about during the exam.
Make a topical list of vocabulary. This means that you have to know first the
different topics in the IELTS Speaking test and write a note of good vocabulary
and expressions for each.
There is no substitute for practice. You often hear coaches and teachers telling
you to practise. The question is, how to practise? Using items of vocabulary and

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expressions learned in conversation can be a good way of making your learning
active. Having a speaking partner can also be useful.
What are the different tasks encountered by a candidate in the IELTS
Speaking test, and what are the appropriate expressions for each?
Generally speaking, there are three parts of the Speaking test. However, each of
these contains questions that require specific answers. Thus, appropriate
expressions are necessary for the fulfillment of the task.
Questions in part 1 of Speaking like ‘Do you prefer being alone or with friends?’
and ‘Would you rather live in the country or city?’ ask your preference. To start
your answer effectively and avoid hesitation, you need some introductory
phrases that signal your preference. The following are examples:
1. I prefer A to B because . . .
Example:
I prefer travelling alone to being with friends because when I travel, I want not
to be bothered by others. This implies that I do not need to consider other
people’s comfort.
2. If I had a choice, I would . . . (expressing a wish)
Example:
If I had a choice, I would live longer because I have several things to do for
other people that I can’t possibly do within the average lifespan of this century.
3. If I have a choice, I will . . . (expressing a real possibility)
Examples:
For me, A is much more attractive / interesting / preferable than B because .
. .
I would much rather do / have / eat / listen to / A than B.
The individual long-turn question in part 2 usually asks a candidate to narrate.
Expressions pertaining to time can be used, such as the following:

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1. When I was young / in high school . . .
2. During my visit to _____ last year, I . . .
3. After I + past-tense verb . . .
4. Last year during the _____ . . .
5. While I was . . .
The IELTS examinees sometimes suggest solutions in part 3 of IELTS Speaking.
To suggest, you can use expressions such as ‘one possibility that I can think of
is’, ‘maybe’/‘perhaps’/‘possibly’, ‘another idea to think about is’.
Expressing opinions is another task a candidate does during the IELTS Speaking
test. Here are the expressions you can use:
1. It seems to me that . . .
2. This is only my opinion, but . . .
3. After a lot of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that . . .
4. I’ve never thought about this question much before, but it seems to me that .
. .

To justify opinions, you can use ‘The reason I believe this is’ or ‘The most
important evidence that supports my claim is’.
For speculation, you can employ expressions like ‘I don’t know what the future
holds, but’, ‘I’m not sure what might happen, but one possibility is’, and ‘It’s
hard to predict the future, but I suppose it/we might’.
For summarizing, here are the expressions:
1. Altogether, there were . . .
2. In the end, they had to . . .
3. When we consider all the factors . . .
4. Considering all these points, maybe the best thing we could do is . . .
To express likes and dislikes, you can say the following:
1. I’ve always liked the idea of . . .
2. I’m quite fond of . . .
3. I’ve got a soft spot for . . .

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4. I’ve always been keen on . . .
5. I like the idea of . . .
6. I was quite taken by . . .
7. I’ve never really fancied . . .
8. _____ doesn’t really appeal to me.
9. I can’t bear . . .
10. I’m not a big fan of . . .
11. I’m not that bothered about . . .
12. I’m not really into . . .