IELTS SPEAKING- BAND 3.
0- MS NGUYEN TAM
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS
IN IELTS SPEAKING PART 3
IELTS Speaking Part 3 is a two-way discussion where the examiner asks you more in-depth
questions related to the topic in Part 2. Your responses should be well-developed, analytical, and
supported with examples.
1. Understand the Question Type
The questions in Part 3 generally fall into these categories:
Opinion-based: "What do you think about...?"
Comparative: "How is X different from Y?"
Causes and Effects: "Why do people...?" / "What are the effects of...?"
Prediction: "How will X change in the future?"
Solutions & Suggestions: "How can we solve this problem?"
2. Structure Your Answer Clearly
A well-structured answer improves coherence and fluency.
2.1. Use the "IDEA" strategy:
I - Introduce your main idea (directly answer the question).
D - Develop your idea (explain why).
E - Example (give a real-life or hypothetical example).
A - Alternative (consider another perspective if relevant).
Example Question: "Why do some people prefer to work from home?"
Answer:
"I think one of the main reasons people prefer working from home is convenience. (I) They
don’t have to commute, which saves time and money. (D) For example, a person who spends
two hours commuting daily can use that time for work or personal activities. (E) However,
some people still prefer working in an office because it helps them separate work from
personal life. (A)"
2.2. Use the PEEL Method
This method is useful for structured and logical responses.
P - Point (State your main idea clearly)
E - Explanation (Explain why this is the case)
E - Example (Support with an example)
L - Link (Relate back to the question or expand further)
Example Question: Do you think the government should invest more in public
transportation?
Answer:
"Yes, I believe public transportation should receive more funding. (P) Investing in buses
and trains can reduce traffic congestion and pollution. (E) For example, in cities like Tokyo,
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IELTS SPEAKING- BAND 3.0- MS NGUYEN TAM
an efficient metro system has significantly reduced reliance on private cars. (E) If
governments prioritize public transport, it will make cities more sustainable and improve
people's quality of life. (L)"
2.3 Use the O.R.E.C. method
1. Opinion
2. Reason
3. Example
4. Consequence
Example Question: "How has the way people consume newspapers changed in recent
years?"
Answer: “Well, I’d say the biggest change is that they have moved online’ (opinion)
because they have had to keep up with social media as a means of spreading
news’ (reason). For example, I used to read the Guardian newspaper, the paper version,
but now I read it via their app on my mobile phone’ (example). I think, by moving online,
the big newspapers have been able to actually grow their readership’ (consequence)”.
3. Use Advanced Vocabulary & Grammar
Use varied sentence structures (conditionals, passive voice, relative clauses).
Include topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., “telecommuting” instead of “working from
home”).
Use linking words (e.g., "Furthermore," "On the other hand," "As a result," etc.).
4. Speak Naturally & Confidently
Avoid memorizing answers—be spontaneous!
Speak at a moderate pace and articulate clearly.
If unsure, paraphrase the question to give yourself time to think.
USEFUL VOCABULARY & PHRASES
FOR COMMON QUESTION TYPES
1.1 Giving Opinions
"In my opinion, I strongly believe that..."
"From my perspective, it seems that..."
"I would argue that..."
"Personally, I am in favor of..."
"I tend to think that..."
Example: Why do people prefer online shopping?
- "In my opinion, the convenience of online shopping is the biggest reason why people prefer it."
1.2 Explaining Causes & Effects
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"This is due to the fact that..."
"One key factor is that..."
"This leads to..."
"As a result..."
"Consequently..."
Example: Why do fewer people use public transport these days?
- "One key factor is that public transportation is often unreliable. As a result, people prefer private
vehicles for convenience."
1.3 Comparing & Contrasting
"Compared to the past, nowadays people tend to..."
"In contrast to this, some people argue that..."
"While some believe that..., others think..."
"Unlike X, Y is more..."
Example: How is traditional education different from online learning?
- "Unlike traditional education, online learning provides more flexibility. However, it lacks face-to-
face interaction."
1.4 Making Predictions
"In the future, it is likely that..."
"I suppose that in the coming years..."
"We can expect to see..."
"If this trend continues, then..."
Example: How will technology affect communication in the future?
- "In the future, it is likely that AI-powered tools will revolutionize the way people communicate."
1.5 Providing Solutions & Suggestions
"One possible solution is to..."
"A practical approach would be..."
"The government should consider..."
"To tackle this issue, it is essential to..."
Example: How can we reduce traffic congestion in cities?
"One possible solution is to improve public transportation so that more people use buses and trains
instead of private cars."
2. Advanced Grammar Structures
Using complex grammar can improve your score in the Grammatical Range & Accuracy
criterion.
2.1 Conditionals (If Sentences)
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"If the government invests more in public transport, fewer people will drive cars." (First
Conditional)
"If people had exercised regularly, they wouldn't have suffered from so many health
problems." (Third Conditional)
Example Question: How can people live a healthier lifestyle?
- "If people exercised regularly and ate nutritious food, they would significantly improve their
health."
2.2 Passive Voice
"More actions should be taken to protect the environment."
"It is believed that social media influences people's opinions significantly."
Example Question: Should governments regulate fast food advertisements?
- "Yes, I think stricter regulations should be implemented to limit the influence of fast food
marketing on children."
2.3 Relative Clauses
"People who exercise daily tend to have better mental health."
"A city that has an efficient transportation system will experience fewer traffic jams."
Example Question: What makes a good leader?
"A great leader is someone who can inspire and motivate others effectively."
2.4 Comparing with "The More…, The More…"
"The more people rely on technology, the less they interact face-to-face."
"The more exercise you do, the healthier you become."
Example Question: How important is physical exercise for children?
- "The more children engage in physical activities, the healthier and more active they become."
3. Linking Words for Fluency
3.1 Adding More Ideas
"Moreover / Furthermore / In addition..."
"Not only that, but also..."
"Another important point is..."
Example: - "In addition to being convenient, online shopping is often more affordable."
3.2 Expressing Contrasts
"However / On the other hand / In contrast..."
"Nevertheless, some people argue that..."
Example: - "Some believe that remote work is beneficial. However, it can also lead to social
isolation."
3.3 Giving Examples
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"For example / For instance..."
"A good example of this is..."
Example: - "Many countries have successfully reduced pollution. For example, Sweden has
invested heavily in renewable energy."
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