Dealing with the unfamiliar topics of IELTS speaking test
Scary enough, is not it? What should you do if you have no idea how to answer the Speaking Part 2 question? Can you ask for a new cue card or a new question? Should you tell a story that isn’t true? Let’s dig deeper.
To be honest, the chances of getting an unfamiliar topic are very rare. In the IELTS exam, the examiner usually chooses the topics that aspirants are comfortable discussing. Most topics are general in nature; they are everyday familiar topics that everyone has some experience with and should be able to give an opinion on. Occasionally, you might get unlucky to have an unfamiliar topic.
Can you ask a new question?
Nope! You have to answer the question you are given. You cannot ask for a new card. If you want a 7 or higher, you must talk for the entire 2 minutes. You have to be prepared to answer, no matter what the question is!
Should you tell a story that isn’t true?
You have got no choices, and here are the ways to master the technique.
A half-truth is a whole lie:
- I’m not exactly sure how to answer that question, but (perhaps)…
- I’m not sure quite where to start…
- That’s a rather difficult question, but (maybe)…
- There are several things I could mention.
- To be perfectly honest, this is not a topic I normally talk about. But, if you have to ask me I guess I would say that…
- Hmmm… let me see… I haven’t thought about that before…