IELTS Band 6 Plan Week 4: Speaking Fluency and Part 2

This week's sessions

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Day 1 · 🗣️ Speaking · about 20 minHow Speaking is markedRead this week's lesson and the IELTS Speaking guide. Note the four things examiners mark.
Day 2 · 🗣️ Speaking · about 20 minAnswer and add one thingComplete the practice set below, then answer five Part 1 questions out loud using answer + reason + example.
Day 3 · 🗣️ Speaking · about 25 minPart 1 practiceAnswer the Part 1 questions out loud and listen to the sample answers. Record yourself if you can.
Day 4 · 🗣️ Speaking · about 25 minA Part 2 long turnPrepare for one minute with key words only, then speak for two minutes. Read the sample answer and try again.
Day 5 · 🗣️ Speaking · about 25 minPart 3 questionsAnswer six Part 3 questions out loud: your view, a reason and an example each time.

This week's lesson: keep talking, and say a little more

At band 6, the examiner is listening for someone who is willing to speak at length, can keep going without long pauses, and connects ideas with simple linking words. You don't need perfect grammar or advanced vocabulary. You need to sound like someone who can have a real conversation in English.

Part 1: answer, then add one thing

Part 1 questions are about you: your work, studies, home and hobbies. A one-word answer is the most common band 5 mistake.

Examiner: Do you like cooking? Band 5: Yes, I like. Band 6: Yes, I do, especially at the weekend, because I have more time. I usually cook something from my home country, like a curry.

Use this pattern: answer + reason + example (2–3 sentences). Don't give a speech; the examiner has more questions to ask.

Part 2: use your minute well

You get one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. In your minute, don't write sentences. Write 4–6 key words, one for each point on the card, plus one extra idea.

Card: Describe a hobby you enjoy. You should say: what it is, when you started it, how often you do it, and why you enjoy it. Notes: cycling – 2020, lockdown – weekends, river path – fresh air, friends, cheap

Then talk through the points in order. If you finish early, add a story: "I remember one time when..." Stories are easy to tell and help you keep going.

Part 3: give a reason and an example

Part 3 questions are more general: Why do people choose hobbies? Will hobbies change in the future? Give your opinion, a reason and an example, and it's fine to say:

"That's an interesting question. I think..." "I'm not sure, but probably..."

These phrases give you a second to think, and they sound natural.

When you get stuck

Everyone forgets a word sometimes. Don't stop. Explain it in other words:

"It's a kind of... a tool you use to open a bottle."

This is called paraphrasing, and examiners see it as a sign of good speaking.

Try it

Answer these three questions out loud, using answer + reason + example each time. Time yourself: each answer should take about 15 to 20 seconds.

Do you prefer mornings or evenings? What did you do last weekend? Is there a sport you'd like to try?

Listen back if you recorded yourself. Did you stop after the first sentence anywhere? Try that answer again and add a reason.

Fluency is a habit

Speak English every day, even for five minutes, even to yourself.
Record yourself and listen back. Count the long pauses (over two seconds). Try to cut them by half.
Use fillers sparingly. Well, actually and let me think are fine; umm every few words is not.

Common traps at this level

Memorised answers. Examiners notice, and it can lower your score.
Speaking too fast. Clear and steady is better than fast and unclear.
Silence when you don't know. Say what you think, even if it's simple.

Practice for this week

Answer and add one thing

Loading questions…

Weekly check: Speaking mock test

All three parts with an examiner voice; use the self-check afterwards.

Start the weekly check

When you finish, come back to your plan home: your dashboard updates with the new score.

Answers, explanations and transcripts

Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.

Answer and add one thing

Model answer: Part 1

Do you prefer to spend your free time indoors or outdoors?

Mostly outdoors, especially when the weather's nice. I like going for walks in the park near my place, because after sitting at a desk all day I really need some fresh air. In winter, though, I usually stay in and watch a film.

Model answer: Part 1

What kind of food do you like to cook?

I like cooking simple things, like pasta or stir-fries, because they're quick and I can use whatever's in the fridge. On weekends I sometimes try something from my home country, which reminds me of my family.

Model answer: Part 1

How often do you use public transport?

Almost every day. I take the train to work, because parking in the city is expensive and it's actually faster. The only problem is that it gets really crowded in the mornings.

Answer key (3 answers)

#	Question	Answer	Why
1	Examiner: 'Do you like reading?' Which answer is closest to band 6?	Yes, I do, mostly novels, because they help me relax before I go to sleep.	C answers directly and adds a reason and a detail. A and B are too short; D doesn't answer about you.
2	You forget the word 'umbrella' while speaking. What's the best thing to do?	Explain it: 'the thing you hold over your head when it rains'	Paraphrasing keeps you fluent and shows the examiner you can manage when you don't know a word.
3	In your one minute of Part 2 preparation, what should you write?	4–6 key words, one for each point on the card	Key words help you remember your ideas without reading from notes.

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