Score a 7 BAND with Girish Pillai ~ FREE IELTS Speaking Lesson

Last week we had a look at Part 1 of the IELTS speaking task; this week we shall look at part 2 of the task, most commonly called the cue card.

This part of the speaking test checks the ability of the candidate to speak at a stretch for a minimum of 2 minutes. A cue card is given that may be a continuation of part 1, one minute is given to the candidate prepare for this task. The cue card contains a situation or a topic followed by 3 to 4 questions, which must be addressed to score a good band. Analyze an easy cue card given below.

Describe a movie you have enjoyed so much.

You should say:

1. What’s the name of the movie
2. What was the central theme of the movie /film
3. When you watched it
4. And say why you enjoyed watching this movie.

Analyzing the question

Q1- Close ended- answering it would take maximum 7 seconds for E.g. “I have many favorite movies,(pause) the one I like best among my Hindi moves collection is –student of the year.”

Q2. – Open ended- now you have the chance to stretch it to a minimum of 40 seconds.

You could begin by talking about the Producer and the main actors in the movie, but you need to sum up the movie in one line to answer the – central theme of the movie.

You could start by

1. Talking about Karan Johar who launched three new faces in the film industry. (5 seconds)
2. Alia Bhatt- stress on her freshness and her important role in the movie. (7 seconds)
3. Varun Dhavan- stress on his background. (5 seconds)
4. – Sid Malhotra – mention his nil film background. (6 seconds)
5. theme of the movie-____________________ (10 seconds)

Q3. Close ended- answering it would take maximum 5 seconds for E.g. “I saw this movie 5 years back, with my friends, and we could so, relate to the movie”

Q4. Open ended- now you have the chance to stretch it to a minimum of 40 seconds…

You could begin by talking about the story line, relationship and the interactions between the main actors in the movie. Don’t tell the story of the movie.

*  monologue- a continues speech – as opposed to a dialogue that Involves 2 people.

 The final stretch

The last 30 seconds is the key, by now you would have finished up all the material you have planned. You need to bring up a point that could stretch the monologue* to another 30 seconds.

Utilization of the minute of preparation time

Notepad

1. Student of the year
2. An insight into the challenges in collage life- its ups and downs
3. 5 year ago – with friends.

Use the minute wisely, don’t try to write down what you will speak- you don’t have the time. In the note pad provided write down pointers of what you intend to speak

Solution: Notepad

1. Student of the year
2. An insight into the challenges in collage life- its ups and downs
3. 5 year ago – with friends.

• List of main actors. Q2
• The twist in the tale- last 30 seconds
• The story- Q4

Let’s Time the minute minutely

Q1 – 5 seconds to decide on a movie that you know well enough to speak about.

Q2- Since the movie is based on collage life and you should create a central theme that would explain the movie in a short sentence- here I have added the slang “ups and downs” to showcase my knowledge of slangs.  – 10 seconds should be enough to decide on the theme.

Q3-   As the movie was released in 2012 – 6 years back, you could also include addition information to stretch the time.

• Whom did you watch the movie with?
• What was the reaction of the person who viewed the movie with you?

This should take up a maximum of 10 seconds.

Q4- To explain the plot/story should take up 40 to 50 seconds. You will have to plan out how you could extend the plot and give your view on the movie.

Please note: Speed of talking varies depending on the situation and comfort level. It is important that you should be able to speak comfortably for the two minutes.

Given below is a speaking sheet that is for your practice. Look at each column and write down the main points that you can stretch for 2 minutes when you actually start speaking.

Timing is important, you have only a minute to write the main points; don’t worry about spelling mistakes or neatness.

Fill up each of the blanks with four main points that will give you enough speaking material for 10 seconds each.

The additional information row is necessary as you might speak fast and run out of ideas before the 2 minutes are up, in this case it makes sense to have some extra inputs that you could add on to reach the two minute – remember it’s imperative that you should speak for 2 minutes (unless the examiner asks you to stop) .

by Girish Pillai