Focus on Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test

After you have talked about your topic in Part 2, the examiner will ask you some more general questions about the topic. These questions are more abstract and may not be directly related to your experience. Example: Part 2 topic = Best friend

→Part 3 topic = Relationships

FLUENCY AND COHERENCE

Emphasis in Opening Statements

22 Listen to the audio recording and underline the word or syllable that carries the main stress in these introductory phrases in italics.

23 Listen again and practise saying the opening statements with appropriate emphasis.

24 Now, try answering the examiner’s questions above by completing the statements in the candidate’s speech bubbles.

25 Listen to the model Part 3 Discussion on Relationships below.

Examiner: ‘Well, you’ve been talking about a special friend, and now I’d like to go on to talk with you some more about relationships in general. First of all, let’s talk about friendship in general. How important is it for people to have friends?’

Candidate: ‘Well, I think having friends is extremely important because everyone needs someone to talk to about their problems; not only that, but we need people to share the good times with as well. I can’t imagine how lonely it would be if we didn’t have any friends.’

Examiner: ‘What personal qualities do you think a real friend should have?’

Candidate: ‘I think there are a number of qualities that a real friend has. Firstly, friends should be honest and trustworthy because you tell them your secrets and personal details, you know, really private stuff. You have to be able to trust them. Secondly, I think they should be reliable. They should meet you when they say they’re going to and not let you down. I also think friends should be caring and supportive so they listen to you when you tell them your troubles and so they help you if you need help. I guess it’s also more fun if they are cheerful and amusing.’

Examiner: ‘Would you say that friends are more important than family?’

Candidate: ‘Definitely, because we spend more time with friends and they can have a huge influence on us. Sometimes that can be a bad influence, so we need to choose our friends carefully.’

Examiner: ‘Now let’s move on to talk about how people form relationships. Nowadays more and more people are starting relationships on the Internet. What are the advantages of forming a relationship in this way?’

Candidate: ‘Well, the main advantage is that starting a relationship on the Internet is so easy. Even if you are a really shy person, and not very sociable, you can still find friends on the Internet. I think some people find it much, much easier than face to face talking.’

Examiner: ‘What are the dangers?’

Candidate: ‘It seems to me that Internet relationships are not really dangerous unless you agree to meet the person and that person has been dishonest, you know, pretending to be someone else... telling lies about himself. This is easy to do on the Internet. I know this happens sometimes because I’ve read about it in the newspaper ... but it’s never happened to me.’

Examiner: ‘Do you think Internet relationships can ever be as strong as traditional relationships?’

Candidate: ‘I think it depends on the kind of relationship. Before the Internet, people used to have pen friends. They wrote letters to each other and sometimes those pen friends became very close and that can also happen on the Internet.’

Examiner: ‘Are relationships formed in childhood different from those formed in adolescence and adulthood?’

Candidate: ‘Yes, I think so. Children like to play with their friends, but adolescents just like to hang out with their friends and talk a lot. I guess adults make friends at work.’

Examiner: ‘Thank you.’

26 In pairs, ask and answer the examiner’s questions. This time, try to give your own views but you may find it helpful to use words, phrases or ideas from the dialogue. Remember to use an opening statement to begin your answer.