IELTS Speaking Lesson 3

 Which of the following is TRUE about idiomatic expressions in IELTS Speaking?

•  Using appropriate idiomatic expressions, including collocations and common phrases, can help improve your score.

•  Idioms are not useful in IELTS Speaking.

•  Only fixed idioms like “spill the beans” will improve your score.

• You should use as many idioms as possible to get Band 9.
  

Which of the following is an example of a commonly accepted idiomatic expression?

• Speak blue wind

• Jump the cat

• Time flies

•  Run the grass

Why should you avoid overusing idiomatic expressions in your IELTS Speaking test?

• They are not part of the scoring criteria.

• Overusing them might affect your fluency and sound unnatural.

• Examiners will not understand them.

• They are only suitable for Writing.

According to Band 7 descriptors for Lexical Resource, which is expected?

• Mastery of complex idioms with perfect accuracy

• Frequent idiom use, even if unrelated

• Some ability to use idiomatic expressions and collocations, with occasional errors

• Avoiding idioms completely

Which of these is a correct example of Past Continuous used to give background?

• I had studied before I went to the exam.

• I walk to school every day.

• I read a book and called my friend.

• I was reading a book when she called.

What is the main purpose of using the Past Perfect in IELTS Speaking Part 2?

• To talk about repeated past actions

• To show an action that happened before another past event

• To describe background scenes

• To describe a future plan

Choose the best example of all three narrative tenses used effectively:

• I was go to the shop, I buy milk, I had money.

• I go to the shop, I was buying milk, I had to leave.

•  I was walking home, it was raining, and I had forgotten my umbrella, so I got wet.

• I will go to the shop and I will buy some bread.

Which IELTS Part usually gives you the best chance to use narrative tenses?

•  Part 1

•  Part 2

•  Part 3

• None of them

How many times should you ideally use filler phrases in the IELTS Speaking test?

• As often as possible

• Around 10 times

• 2–3 times throughout the test

• Never

Which of these is a natural and useful filler phrase to gain time?

• What’s up, examiner?

•  The cat is in the bag.

•  I no understand.

• That’s an interesting question…