Speaking
What the section tests
Speaking tasks assess fluency, coherence, range of vocabulary and grammar, pronunciation, and interactive ability. Formats usually include a short interview, a picture or topic description, and a discussion or opinion task.
Concepts to master
- Fluency: keep going; small self-corrections are fine, long silences are not. Use fillers naturally (well, let me think).
- Coherence: organize answers - state, explain, example. Linkers (because, for example, on the other hand) help the examiner follow you.
- Range: show varied tenses and structures; paraphrase when a word is missing ("a thing you use to…").
- Interaction: answer the question, then add a reason or detail; ask for clarification politely if needed ("Could you repeat that, please?").
- Pronunciation: clear stress and intonation matter more than accent; slow down slightly to stay intelligible.
Traps to expect
- One-word answers ("Yes." "No.") that give no language to assess.
- Memorized speeches that ignore the actual question.
- Freezing on an unknown word instead of paraphrasing.
- Switching to your first language when stuck.
Worked rule of thumb
Use the Answer + Reason + Example pattern. Question: "Do you enjoy reading?" Weak: "Yes." Strong: "Yes, I do - mainly because it helps me relax after work. For example, I usually read for twenty minutes before bed." This shows tense, linking, and vocabulary in three sentences.
Practice habit
Record yourself for one minute on a topic, then listen for pauses, repeated words, and tense slips. Re-record once, improving one thing.