Brief of IELTS Exam Speaking Section: A Trivandrum Guide

The Speaking section is a pivotal part of the IELTS exam. It tests your spoken English through an engaging face-to-face interview with an examiner. Thus, this section features a variety of topics and involves the use of a cue card.

Trivandrum has a rich cultural heritage and a high literacy rate. So, for students, mastering this section can be particularly advantageous. The article will give you a detailed overview of the cue cards. As it is a vital element of the IELTS syllabus of the speaking section. Thus, you also get key advice to ace your preparation. So let's read it together.

Overview of IELTS Cue card

The IELTS speaking section includes a component known as the "cue card." During this part of the exam, you will get a card with a topic. Further, you will have one minute to prepare and make notes. It is followed by up to two minutes to speak on the topic. Thus, this section tests your ability to organize and express your thoughts clearly. You need to provide detailed information and respond to questions effectively.

The cue card assesses various aspects of your speaking ability. So you need to speak smoothly, make sense, use a good range of words, and pronounce words correctly. The article will make you learn about the top 5 IELTS exam cue card topics. So you can read them to gain more insights.

Top 5 IELTS Cue Card Topics in 2024

As the IELTS test evolves, certain topics become more prevalent. In this section, you will get the top 5 topics along with 5 questions. Thus, each of them is frequently asked in the cue card for the IELTS speaking part. So take a look at them.

Technology

In today's digital age, technology is a prominent topic in the IELTS exam Speaking section. In these cue cards, you have to speak about your experiences with varied technology. Here's a list of questions that you can get.

• Describe a time when your computer broke down.
• Describe an app you use on your mobile phone.
• Describe a piece of technology that you find difficult to use.
• Describe an important email you have received.
• Describe a software that you often use.

Music/ Movies

Music and movies are popular cue card topics. It is because they allow you to talk about personal preferences and experiences. In the following list, you will find the cue cards related to music and movies.

• Describe your favourite singer
• Describe your favourite movie
• Describe a movie that made you laugh
• Describe a song that is special to you
• Describe a Character from a Movie

Famous Personalities

Talking about famous personalities will allow you to discuss influential figures. Thus, you will get topics in various fields. They can include politics, sports, entertainment, or science. Thus, in these cue cards, you will be asked about your opinion on popular faces.

• Describe a person who you think is very open.
• Describe a decision made by others you disagree with.
• Describe a foreign person whom you have heard.
• Describe an introvert person whom you know.
• Describe someone older than you whom you admire.

Reading/ book

Books and reading habits are common topics. As they test your ability to discuss literary interests. So, have a look at the list of questions related to reading and books.

• Describe a book you read and found useful.
• Describe a book that you have read many times.
• Describe your favourite book.
• Describe your favourite subject.

Talk about the difficult word that you learned to pronounce.

Skill

Skills, whether related to hobbies, work, or personal development, are another frequent topic. You can find below some skill-based questions for the cue card round of the speaking test.

• Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn.
• Describe a natural talent you want to improve.
• Describe a practical skill you learnt.
• Describe a skill you want to learn.
• Describe a skill that you can teach other people

Thus, these are the 5 top topics for IELTS cue cards. You can get the following questions respectively. However, with the right learning practices, you can ace this part of the IELTS syllabus. So, for that, you can visit Gradding.com. The experts will train you with the best techniques and tips. Further, you will get to learn how to perform confidently in your exam. For now, let's move forward to the next section. You will read how you will get assessed after you give your response. The marking criteria for the IELTS exam are as follows:

IELTS Cue Card Marking Criteria

The IELTS cue card section is a scoring segment of the IELTS speaking test. Usually, you get 11 to 15 minutes in which you get to read the cue card, think, and respond accordingly. There are certain criteria to evaluate your performance. So, with proper information, you can focus on your preparation. Further, it will help you improve your overall score.

Fluency and Cohesion

Fluency refers to your ability to speak smoothly and at a natural pace. You should not take unnecessary pauses or hesitation. However, cohesion is to organize your ideas logically. You must use apt linking words and phrases to connect them. Further, you can enhance fluency and cohesion by speaking on various topics. Moreover, you must work on structuring your responses.

Lexical Resources

Lexical resources involve the range and accuracy of your vocabulary. You need to use a variety of words and phrases appropriately. This is vital for you to convey your ideas effectively. However, you need to avoid repetition. Using synonyms and descriptive language can help you, too. So expand your vocabulary by reading and practice. It can help you use a broader range of words.

Pronunciation and Delivery

Pronunciation refers to how clear and right you are when you give your speech. However, while delivering, it involves your intonation, stress, and rhythm. You must make a note that effective pronunciation and delivery are key. It makes your speech easier to understand and more engaging. So you need to practice speaking aloud, record yourself, and listen to native speakers. Thus it will improve your response.

Grammatical Errors

Grammatical accuracy is vital for clear communication. While some minor errors are acceptable, frequent mistakes can affect your score. So, you must focus on using correct verb tenses, sentence structures, and grammar rules. However, regular practice and feedback from teachers or language partners can be useful. It will help you reduce your grammatical errors.

Thus, these are the marking norms. So, you need to prepare keeping them in mind. If you do so, you will be able to improve effectively. Thus, your response will count for your good scores.

Conclusion

The Speaking section is a key part of the IELTS. Thus, preparing effectively for it can greatly impact your overall score. You need to learn the cue card format and its common topics. Further, if you practice the key marking criteria, it will enhance your performance. However, if you do not know where to start, consult an expert. The IELTS coaching in Trivandrum is the best solution. You can enroll in it to seek effective learning preparation methods. Thus, you can approach the speaking section with confidence. And it will improve your chances of achieving a high score.