Why do I need to know this?
Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test is a discussion of opinions and ideas.
This can include your opinion and other people’s opinions too.
For example:
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Your opinion: “Why do people need to play sports?”
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Someone else’s preferences, opinions or ideas: “Why do some people prefer to be alone sometimes?”
Remember, Part 3 is only about 4 – 7 minutes long, so you don’t have time to evaluate or analyse every single different possibility, age group, demographic and exception in your Part 3 answers.
So what do you say when the examiner gives you a very big idea to discuss?
Here are 2 easy-to-apply, clear and coherent ways to answer these kinds of questions.
How do I answer these Part 3 Question Types?
Approach #1 – Generalising
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“[Generally / broadly] speaking, I think…”
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“For the most part, I suppose…”
Why do people need to play sports?
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“For the most part, I think people play sports to try and blow off steam and relax.”
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“Generally speaking, I suppose people can play sports to stay in shape.”
Why do some people prefer to be alone sometimes?
“Generally speaking, I suppose some people need to have some alone time in order relax and recharge their batteries, especially after social events or work.”
“For the most part, I guess when people are going through a stressful or difficult time in their lives, they might prefer to be alone so they can clear their heads.”
Why do some students dislike studying at school?
“Generally speaking, I think most students just find school quite boring, especially if they aren’t very passionate about the subjects they are studying.”
“For the most part, I suppose most kids would rather be outside playing and spending time with their friends, instead of being indoors and being forced to study difficult or boring subjects.”
These questions could have dozens of different answers.
But do you have time to discuss all of them? No.
The examiner knows this too, so it’s okay to generalise, as long as you make it clear in English. So use these phrases at the start of your answer, then you can be as general as you want!
Approach #2 – Acknowledge a Contrasting Opinion, then Disagree
Sometimes you may be given popular ideas or opinions to discuss.
To create a high band Part 3 answer, you should always try and discuss both sides of the opinion.
But, as I said before, you don’t have a long time in the IELTS, so how can you do it?
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Although [contrasting opinion] , [my true belief / opinion]
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Even though [contrasting opinion] , [my true belief / opinion]
These linkers allows you to do several things:
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Address both sides of the topic in just 1 sentence (concisely)
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Use a ‘variety of complex structures’ – which is listed in the Band 7.0 IELTS Speaking scoring criteria
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Use controlled, clear and concise language to answer the question comprehensively, but also quickly
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Do you think people should have to pay to visit museums?
“Yes. Although I think some museums in London are far too expensive, I don’t think that museums should be completely free for everyone.”
[Contrasting opinion] = I think some museums in London are far too expensive
[Personal opinion] = I don’t think that museums should be completely free for everyone.
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Do you think the internet is a good place to get news?
“I think so. Even though there is a lot of misleading and fake information online, I still think the internet is a reliable place for news and updates on current events.”
[Contrasting opinion] = there is a lot of misleading and fake information online
[Personal opinion] = I still think the internet is a reliable place
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Do you think that teachers will be replaced by robots in the future?
“I don’t think so. Even though I’ve read lots of articles that say it’s the future of education, I still believe that children need to have real-life, human teachers to look up to as role models.”
[Contrasting opinion] = I’ve read lots of articles that say it’s the future of education
[Personal opinion] = I still believe that children need to have real-life, human teachers to look up to as role models.”
That’s it!
Two high-band, clear, easy-to-apply approaches you can use to give high-band IELTS Speaking Part 3 answers to Opinion Questions.
Study more IELTS Part 3 Question Types:
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions usually come in 5 different question types. Here they are.
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Your Opinion & Evaluating Others’ Opinions
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Describing Changes
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Comparisons & Differences
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Giving Advice & Suggestions
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Your Country & Society
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