Speaking Advice: Add detail

When it comes to speaking parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS test, many students tend to overly focus on grammar. However, what matters more is the quality of your answers. One effective way to enhance the quality of your answers is by providing detailed information.

Let's take the following question as an example:

Question: Describe your best friend. Say when you met him/her.

Short answer about when we met:

I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old.

Detailed answer about when we met:

I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old, so we’ve known each other for over 10 years. This was during my first science lesson at secondary school, where I distinctly recall we were assigned to sit next to each other and collaborate on an experiment. Instantly, we connected and formed a bond that has lasted ever since.

By providing additional details, not only have I enriched my response but I have also incorporated more advanced vocabulary and grammar.

Let's further explore the benefits of adding detail to your speaking answers:

1. Enhancing coherence and cohesion: Including specific details helps develop a logical flow in your response, making it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas. Your answers will sound more organized and coherent.

2. Increasing fluency: Delving into more detail leads to a more fluent speaking style. You will have more to say and won't find yourself struggling to fill the time limit for each answer.

3. Displaying a wider range of vocabulary: When you expand on your ideas, you naturally use a broader range of vocabulary. This demonstrates your ability to express yourself effectively and shows the examiner your depth of vocabulary knowledge.

4. Highlighting grammatical complexity: Elaborating on your response allows you to showcase a variety of sentence structures and tenses. This demonstrates your ability to use grammar accurately and flexibly.

To effectively add detail to your speaking answers, consider the following strategies:

1. Provide specific examples: Instead of giving generic responses, provide concrete examples or anecdotes to support your ideas. This adds credibility and depth to your answers.

2. Include time markers: Incorporate time-related words and phrases to indicate sequence or duration. This helps create a timeline and adds precision to your responses.

3. Describe with your senses: Utilize sensory language to vividly describe people, places, or situations. This engages the listener and paints a clear picture of your experiences.

4. Share personal opinions and feelings: Don't shy away from expressing your thoughts and emotions. This encourages a more personal and engaging conversation during the speaking test.

Now let's revisit the original example and see how we can further add detail:

Question: Describe your best friend. Say when you met him/her.

Enhanced answer with more detail:

I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old, so we’ve known each other for over 10 years. This was during my first science lesson at secondary school. It was an exciting day because we were assigned to sit next to each other. Our teacher asked us to collaborate on an experiment involving chemical reactions, and we ended up spending the entire class engrossed in the project. I still remember the feeling of accomplishment when our experiment succeeded, and from that moment on, our friendship blossomed. We became inseparable, spending countless lunch breaks discussing our shared passion for science and challenging each other with new ideas. Throughout the years, our friendship has endured numerous ups and downs, and we've supported each other in both academic and personal endeavors.

By incorporating more specific details and vivid descriptions in your answers, you not only showcase your ability to provide interesting and engaging responses but also maximize your chances of achieving a higher band score in the speaking test.