IELTS Speaking – Part 3
Task Description
What happens in this part?
In this part, the examiner and the candidate discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way, and where appropriate, in greater depth.
How long does it last?
4 – 5 minutes.
What skill is being assessed?
The candidate’s ability to express and justify opinions, analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.
Understanding the Task
To understand better how students should approach this task, it may help you to do the activity yourself first and analyse what you have done and what you needed to know to do it.
You can ask a fellow teacher or friend to act the role of the examiner, or you can do both parts yourself. Record the interaction on tape so you can go back and listen to what you said and how you said it.
Look at these sample Part 3 Speaking prompts.
Sample
Part 3 Prompts (PDF)
Recording
Transcript
Things to consider
Now look at these questions about how you approached the task and consider your answers.
- How does the approach to the topic change in Part 3?
- What kind of language areas/functions are candidates likely to need?
- What structures are candidates likely to use?
- Does the candidate need to initiate in this discussion?
