Speaking task 2: Useful phrases for your story + example answer
In part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, you should speak for 2 minutes describing some experience from your life. The phrases below are universal and can be used for any question. Use them when you are practicing speaking part 2. Gradually you’ll memorise them and will be able to use them readily at the actual test.
Useful phrases
| Introduction | Paraphrase the question |
| Body | Useful phrases:Telling the storyIt took place in/at (place)The reason I enjoyed (doing smth) was that…
Not only did I (do smth)… but also I (did)… Although… To begin with, … Moreover,… Furthermore, Last but not the least,… Had I not (done smth), I wouldn’t have (done smth) On one hand … On the other hand Expressing your emotions It seems/seemed to me that… I have no idea how it happened I felt a profound shock I had a fit when… I was astonished at (smth)… I was/remained cool as a cucumber I was as fresh as a daisy It struck me as strange that… Bizarre as it might seem… That was the happiest day of my life! I am sorry to admit/say that That’s ridiculous! Connecting the sentences: To be honest, … Actually,… Indeed However Stating your opinion: In my opinion From my point of view I guess Speaking about your opinions: First of all I claimed that… Also I mentioned that… Finally I expressed my views on… For instance,… |
| Conclusion | For all these reasons I am convinced that…In a word, …All in all |
Example answer:
Before you start speaking for 2 minutes, you will have 1 minute to prepare and make notes. Use this time wisely. Use bullet points to make notes. You should answer this question in a story-telling way, but covering all the questions asked in this task. Remember even if you speak perfect English, but give an incomplete answer, or answer the wrong question, you will get a relatively low mark (not 8 for sure).
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire or survey.
You should say:
– what the questionnaire/survey was about
– why you were asked to give your opinions
– what opinions you gave
and explain how you felt about giving your opinion in this questionnaire/survey
(introduction) I remember being asked to give my opinion in a survey when I was doing my Master’s at the University.
(what the survey was about) I was asked to complete the survey online and it was about the students’ opinions about the university academic and social life.
(why you were asked to give your opinions) I was asked to give my opinion because at that time I was a student at that university. In fact, the university wanted to know what the current students thought of the recent amendments of the educational standards, admission procedures, and course programme. Moreover the university was launching a set of new social activities, and they were interested in our opinions.
(what opinions you gave) Firstly I claimed that it was a good idea to make the educational standards more suitable for the international students as well, otherwise they would feel alienated from the local students and wouldn’t be able to do well in their studies. Also I mentioned that the admission procedures should be more straight-forward and give a clearer idea of the steps the potential students should take in order to be admitted at the university. Finally, I expressed my views on the course programme. I said that I really liked the diversity of lectures and course materials, and that we had a chance to participate in the workshops led by the top-notch experts in the field. However I suggested implementing more practical aspects to the programme to prepare us for the future work environment.
(explain how you felt about giving your opinion on this survey) I was pleased to find out that the university was willing to take the students’ opinions into account, because it meant that the university was caring about us. It astonished me that the university was willing to spend time, money and effort to learn about the students’ opinions. I had never experienced such a caring attitude before, when I was studying at other academic institutions.
(conclusion) In a word, I enjoyed taking part in this survey.
Linking words for smoother speech
If you want to get a high mark, you should be able to logically connect your ideas both in speaking and in writing. Below is the list of the most common linking words. Choose the ones you feel most comfortable with and use them in your speech and essays.
To Add:
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, what’s more, moreover, in addition.
To Compare:
whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast.
To Prove:
because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently.
To Show Exception:
nevertheless, in spite of, despite.
To Show Time:
immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then
To Repeat:
in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted,
To Emphasize:
definitely, extremely, obviously, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation.
To Show Sequence:
first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon.
To Give an Example:
for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration.
To Summarize or Conclude:
in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole.
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