Task 1 of the IELTS Speaking (The International English Language Testing System) serves rather as a "warm-up" and entry into the communication between the candidate and the IELTS examiner. It lasts 4-5 minutes.
Hence, the topics of the Speaking Task 1 are about personal preferences, views on things and situations. Topics of the Speaking Task 1 look easy, but each topic has 3-7 questions, which must be answered correctly.
Results of the Speaking Tasks 1-3 are reported on a nine-band scale, as well as for each of the other skills (Listening, Reading, Writing), and these contribute to the score for overall language ability.
Despite the seeming simplicity of the questions about everyday life for Speaking Task 1 of the IELTS test, you have to use different grammatical forms, as well as some "checking for correct understanding" hidden in the need to harmonize grammatical forms. When preparing for the IELTS test, you better go through all the topics at least once and see these moments in order to be ready.
Here, we take the topics of the Speaking Task 1, focusing on the parameters of the 9-bands score assessment:
9. Expert User – Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
It makes sense to train only on samples for the highest score.
For understanding and comparison, an 8-bands score means the following:
8. Very Good User – Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstanding may occur in unfamiliar situations, can handle complex detailed argumentation well.
You can see that the need to use vocabulary and grammar correctly remains anyway, but the decrease in score goes for "inaccuracies". So, the best way to go is to take the 9 band examples and learn from them. There are about 60 topics of the Speaking Task 1 for the IELTS test.
The materials for the IELTS test are developed by the University of Cambridge and the British Consul, they correspond to the international standard of foreign language proficiency necessary for life, work, study in a foreign language environment.
In fact, it is a pleasure to work with the IELTS topics because they invite and allow you to express your ideas in a wide range - from personal preferences to issues that concern the global community of today. Therefore, completing the IELTS topics, you train your communication competence and all 4 language skills in general.
As you prepare to take the IELTS test, you will have to delve into the logical patterns inherent in the English language and culture. And, of course, it is important to understand that if you have never read, listened to, or talked on IELTS topics, but try to “invent” something right during the test, then your result will not be high.
Therefore, it is better to go through all the topics and repeatedly. You don't need to memorize them as a whole. But better - listen to the video and watch the subtitles, speaking simultaneously with the voice. First at reduced speed, then at normal speed, and then at high speed. This will allow you not only to familiarize yourself with, but to put the structures of the text into your memory. Remember that during the IELTS test, and in life in general, you may come across any of these topics, so it will be right to take a closer look at all of them.
If you feel that you do not agree with the text that is offered to you, that's great! This is how it should be normally. Each person has his or her own view. Use this to compose your texts on the same topic. This will be the most effective way to work - to be inspired by someone else's text and make your own version. While you are thinking about your version, you will be imperceptibly motivated to better remember the topic and the answer to it.
If a topic particularly touched you, it means that this topic is somehow close to you, and you have your own ideas. It is perfect! It is imperative to express your ideas, and it will be ideal if all topics are passed and got your own version. This will definitely come in handy in your life, not only during the test.
Also, it is important to remember that the IELTS test is a language test, the main thing is to demonstrate your language skills, your excellent fluent English, and not your ability for a short answer.
IELTS topics are great in that they are directly related to real life, and it is pleasant and useful to compose answers to them. These are topics for everyday life - about where you live, how long you work, whether you like cakes and wear perfume.
Good luck with that!
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