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What should I say if the examiner asks me questions I have no experience of in the IELTS Speaking Test?

by Ling BingRui
(WuXi,JiangSu,China)

Hello all,

I have a question about IELTS speaking test. Just wondering what I should say if the examiner asking about some questions that I have no experience. Which I may not familiar. Can I tell about something that is my imagine? Or just say "sorry I don't have this experience". Appreciate your help on this.

Thanks in advance.

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Mar 07, 2014
 IELTS speaking
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

No, definitely don't do that!

It is a speaking test so the examiner needs to hear you speaking. It will not look good if you don't make the effort to answer every question.

The questions will always be something you have some experience of. Yes, use your imagination if you have to, but always answer all of the questions.

Thanks
Mar 12, 2014
 IELTS Instructor
by: Shahid Ismail

All the speaking test questions are of a social context, in other words, nobody is going to ask you questions of a technical nature.

What won't you understand about -

- Your home town
- The school you went to
- What you do in your spare time

Relax, the best thing would be enrol at a reputable institute, even if it's only for a couple of weeks, and do a few mock test to see where you stand.

Stop worrying and good luck
Jan 26, 2016
 Speaking test - know nothing about the topic
by: Rahi shah

Hi, if you don't have the answer to a question, don't be silent - think just in one second and answer quickly, whatever's in your mind.

The examiner just sees your speaking. I have experienced in my first attempt. Be confident.
Thanks
Oct 10, 2019
 speaking test
by: Anonymous

Hi,

If you have no idea about the topic, take some time to think. You can do it by saying: Hmm, Its a tough question or That's an interesting question, I had never thought of before and pause for a second. In this while think or make up a story and answer it.

Cheers.

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If I could not answer one question in the IELTS Speaking Test, will it harm my score?

by Cyllus

Hi all...

I Just finished my speaking test (25.9.2015)..

In section 1, examiner's first question was quite tricky (after all the introduction questions).. however I still answered the question..

but the examiner repeated the question again because she could see that I did not answer the question correctly.. I even asked her to repeat the question but I still did not understand nor give her the answer...

after about three times she repeated the question, I gave up and asked her if we can moved to the next questions.. the next questions even in section 2, 3 I did not had any big problem to answer the questions and i think I did well after the 1st "nightmare" question..

I really need to achieve at least band 6 in speaking.. could the "next question" issue will harm my score??

Tq...

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Sep 25, 2015
 Struggling with a question
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Cyllus,

You have to remember that you are graded in your performance over the whole speaking test.

There is no band limit or maximum for any of the criteria if you have a problem with one question.

If you made that error but did very well in the rest of the test, it may not matter. If you did not do well in a lot of the test your score will be lower.

So you really can't judge it on that one thing.

For anyone to give you advice on your score, they would have to hear the whole test to see how you did.

But we can't do that so you will have to wait for your result to see.

Good luck
Dec 20, 2015
 speaking
by: Bishnu

Respected madam/sir,

I give ielts thrice but got 5.5 in every test. is it permissible to say 'lader' for later, baddle for battle, lod for lot etc.

I mean american 'd' in place of 't' as americans in ielts?

Again in speaking my fluency is moderate but i don't laugh at any time, does that matter?

In connection of speaking i don't move hands so much, does that affect the score?

Please suggest me. I am in utter disappointment right now. what are the criterion of judging the speaking?

Please ...suggest me. i am dying to get your answer.......
Dec 23, 2015
 IELTS Speaking
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Bishnu,

Firstly they are judging you on your speaking, so it doesn't matter about your hand movements. It won't matter if you didn't look happy or didn't laugh - again, it is your speaking that is important (though of course it won't do any harm if you can look happy and relaxed so you can build rapport with the examiner).

As for using 'd' - your speaking is best if it sounds natural. If you are using 'd' because you have a good American accent that will not necessarily matter. If you are speaking in a way that affects the examiners ability to understand you, that will lower your score for pronunciation.

Really it is difficult to advise you though on your pronunciation without hearing it.

As for what criterion you are judged on, it is:

1) Fluency and Coherence
2) Lexical Resource (e.g. vocabulary, collocations)
3) Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4) Pronunciation

There is a public version of the band descriptors that is available at any test centre and you can also find it online if you do a search on "IELTS Speaking Public Band Descriptors". This will tell you how you are graded.
Oct 06, 2016
 If I missed to answer part 3 final question?
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I also met with that same incident just today (2016/10/06), But in part 3 final question. I couldn't give an answer. But I was satisfied about the rest. How will it affect to my results? How was your result?
Oct 07, 2021
 I didn’t answer a question in part 3
by: Anonymous

I didn’t answered a question in part 3 because I wasn’t familiar that question and didn’t have any idea about what to say. At that time I just thought for 2 seconds and replied 'sorry I don’t have any idea about that'.

Will it effect the whole test? Second thing in which category this kind of error will be fall?

Fluency and coherence, or in something else??
Oct 07, 2021
 I didn’t answer a question in part 3
by: IELTS buddy

It won't affect the whole test, and it may have had no impact at all.

If you spoke fully on all the other questions and the test ran for its proper time then just not answering one question may not be an issue. If you did the same for several questions then it could be an issue.

The only place it could get marked down is on 'fluency and coherence' as here it says that you should be willing to speak at length about the various topics being discussed.

However, as I say, if you did try to fully answer all the other questions then I doubt it would have an impact.

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What if I have no experience of an IELTS part 1 speaking question?

by Sevinj
(Azerbaijan)

When the examiner asks questions that demand response (What is your job? Or which city have you visited?) are we allowed to change it?

I mean, I do not like cheating. I have never visited any foreign city. But I must extend the answer.

Then what can you advise?

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May 14, 2014
 IELTS Speaking Part 1
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

You won't be asked a question that you can't answer. They would not ask you about visiting a foreign city because as you say, many people may have never been abroad.

The questions will be about things everyone has experience of, such as what kind of music you listen to, visiting museums.

And even if you have never visited a museum (which is unlikely) the follow up questions are usually more general. For example, should people have to pay to visit museums?

You can't ask the examiner to change the questions. Of course the examiner will not know if you are lying but you should not need to do that.

Thanks
May 14, 2014
 speaking
by: Sevinj

Many thanks for reply!

I am in hesitation if I can change the tense of the question (if I haven't experienced requested issue) or I can refer it to my acquaintances' experience, can I? (I saw the question: describe the city what you visited in practice books for IELTS)
May 20, 2014
 no experience of an IELTS part 1 speaking question
by: IELTS buddy

You should always have some experience of the question, but you should always give some kind of answer, don't say nothing or "I have no experience of that".

So yes, if you have to, mention your friend.

I'm not sure what you mean about changing the tense of the question. But as I said, you should give some kind of answer, so changing the time frame is better than saying nothing.
May 20, 2014
 changing tenses in questions
by: Sevinj

I meant that I can swap tenses. For example, to asked question in Present Perfect (after yes,no in this tense) I might answer in Future tenses

like: Describe the city where you have been recently. I have never been abroad. But I would like to... I would go... do... etc.

Now I understand that we are allowed to make sentences appropriate for us. Thank you for help!
May 26, 2014
 Experience of IELTS Speaking Questions
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

All I can say to your question is really what I said before.

You should try to answer it as it is asked, but yes, if for any reason you can't, change it as in your example, and of course if you do that make sure the tense fits.

Thanks
May 26, 2014
 thanks
by: Sevinj

Thank you very much for attention!

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I missed out a question on the speaking test - can I get a band 7?

by Julie

Hi,

I had my Ielts speaking test last 23rd of september.

I missed out one question for the second task, can I see get a band score of 7?

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Sep 25, 2015
 Getting a 7
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Julie,

I'm not sure what you mean by missing a question in the second task.

The second part of the test is where you are given a topic to talk about for 2 minutes so you can't really miss it out.

Or do you mean you did not talk about one of the three points on the card?

Anyway, missing one question or not discussing a point on a card would not automatically put you below a 7. You are marked on many things during the speaking test.

So yes, you could still get a 7 but you will have to wait to get your score.

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What happens if I did not answer the last part of the question?

by row

Hi, i took my ielts speaking yesterday. I am freaking out because i haven't answered the last part of the question. I need a band score of 5... will it be taken against me.. i am so nervous. I also did not look at the interviewers eyes.. oh god can i have 5 for that sense?

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Apr 21, 2015
 Not answering the question - IELTS Speaking
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

The last part of which question?? You mean the questions at the end?

It is really not possible to feedback on a person's speaking without actually having been there to see how that person did.

Also, you are judged over the whole test - you do not suddenly drop bands because you may have not answered one question well.

So yes it is still possible to have a band 5 but you really need to wait for your score. Nobody can predict it.

Thanks

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Will my score be affected?

by MC

Will it affect my score?

Hi there, I did my speaking test this evening and I just have a few questions to ask.

Well, first of all, in general for my speaking test I think I did okay. However, in part 2 speaking I found myself less fluent and lack of ideas to express the examiner. For part 1 and 3 were alright, although there were some hesitation and not many academic words include I managed to go smoothly and be careful of the tenses that I used. Plus, I there were repetition words and also I corrected myself a few times. But as I said before I kinda lacked in ideas but tried to expand my answer though.

Will it affect my score? And I just only want to get 6 or 6.5 in speaking. Well, I'm a bit worried whether I could get the scores that I want.

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Jan 31, 2016
by: IELTS buddy

As I've said on here many times, it's really not possible to have any idea of what score someone may get without hearing the test.

If there were problems with fluency, hesitation and repeating yourself sometimes, it may affect your score, but it is impossible to know for sure or to what extent if it did.
Sep 28, 2019
 Part 2 issue
by: John

My part 1 and 3 was great, part 2 was terrible, however I got 7. They check overall performance.

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What should I say if asked to speak about my family in the IELTS Speaking test Part 1?

by Garbuja

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am preparing for my IELTS exam by the help of your website. But I am in dilemma about speaking.

As I am a married woman, what should I tell about my family in speaking? If an examiner asks question about the family in part 1, should I talk about my husband's family or my father's family? I am clueless. I would be grateful if you could give your opinion on it.

I am hoping to hear from you soon.

Yours faithfully,
Richa Garbuja

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Jun 18, 2013
 Speaking about family.
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

The simple answer is that it really does not matter.

The question is about family, so if you are talking about your family in some form or another you are answering the question (if you spoke about 'hobbies' for example obviously that would be a problem).

The examiner is interested in hearing you speak, so you should do your best to answer the question and extend your response rather than just giving very short answers - that is what is important.

Hope that helps,
Thanks.
Jun 29, 2013
 Speaking "on time"
by: jefoy

Make it simple, just talk about yourself as married person,you can even mention that you are planning to have a baby soon, then probably you add something about family -only if you have enough time to mention all of these things.I mean if you are talking so slowly don't bother.Because your answer should be atleast 15 seconds in duration.

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Speaking question about hats

by qwer
(tr)

hi there,
i had my exam few weeks ago, i have been asked by the examiner something like that:

"Is there any special(particular) place in your country where people mostly wear hats".

I know that I need to talk about that topic but there is nowhere in my country not even in the world, as far as i know.

I asked whether caps or berets are included. The
examiner said no, and also interrupted when i tried to say some thing about those.

Now the question is, should we talk about the topic even it is not real. in other words are we expected to talk about the topic in any means even by creating a virtual place like in my subject?

Thanks

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Jun 26, 2016
 Speaking about hats
by: IELTS buddy

Hi qwer,

You haven't said which part of the test you are referring to, part 1, 2 or 3. It's important to know which as this affects the way you need to answer it.

it does not look like a part 2 topic so I assume it is from 1 or 3.

I assume you are talking about part 3 which is the discussion. If so, then if there is nowhere they wear hats then you just have to say that, but if you want to expand your answer you can still discuss the situations in your country where people do wear hats (there must be some people who sometimes wear hats).

I'm surprised the examiner said you cannot talk about berets or caps as I would have thought the best response would be to say "Nobody wears hats, however people wear caps and berets..." and go on to then explain who wears them.

I think if you had done that rather than asking the examiner first it would be fine. You need to be more confident to say what you think is the most suitable answer.

But as I said, it is important to know which part of the test you are referring to.
Jun 27, 2016
 Country that wears hat
by: Anonymous

Hi Quer,

I am sure you are talking about the speaking part 2 of the text, I don't think there is any penalty for saying that you don't know any part of the country that wears hats, because if you say yes you might not have enough answer for subsequent questons that might follow it.

There is part of Nigeria (south -south) in Africa that wears hat but because you don't know the examiner will ask you a different question. So don't panic, good luck.

Pauline
Jul 01, 2016
 Speaking Part 2
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Pauline,

You can't get asked a different question in part 2 of the speaking test if you say you don't know anything about it.

You have to speak about the first topic you are given.
Apr 04, 2018
 Doubt about exam
by: Anonymous

Hi friends. today I completed my ielts speaking test. I am very nervous because in part 2 question is DESCRIBE A TIME PLEASURED HAD MOBILE PHONE. In tension I read it as pleased. so I started the answer with please. but the examiner suggested me that is happy. so immediately I continue my answer. And my flow is good. now I am expecting 6.5. is thr chance to get. pls any one give me response
Apr 09, 2018
 doubt
by: IELTS buddy

It's impossible to tell you how you did without hearing your test.

And I have no idea what 'DESCRIBE A TIME PLEASURED HAD MOBILE PHONE' means. That makes no sense.
Aug 22, 2018
 Skipping question
by: Anonymous

Hi,

In my speaking section I felt difficulty in understanding a particular question, so I requested the examiner to explain it. But instead of explaining he changed the question, does it reduce my mark?.

Thanks.
Aug 22, 2018
 Skipping question
by: IELTS buddy

No, he probably just wanted to move the test on for some reason.

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Unfamiliar topics or questions

by ahmed
(Lagos, Nigeria)


Hello,
How do I respond to unfamiliar topics or questions?

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Jun 05, 2019
 Unfamiliar topics or questions
by: IELTS buddy

You just have to practice preparing for questions that you don't know about.

In part one they won't be unfamiliar as they are simple everyday topics such as about your favourite colour or going out with friends.

Part 2 should be something you have some experience of sometime in your life, but if not you will just have to talk about something as closely related to the topic as possible (if what you are going to talk about is slightly away from the topic the examiner has given you you should make it clear before you talk why you are speaking about something slightly different).

In part 3 you may get questions on things you have not thought about before. But these are just your opinions so it doesn't matter that it is not something you are an expert on. You can still have an opinion. Again you need to practice a lot of part 3 so you get good at answering things you have not thought about before.
Aug 13, 2019
 Speaking part 3
by: Anonymous

Hi,
I just had my speaking exam today and i did good in part 1 and 2 but for part 3 the examiner asked me about consumer society and i just didn't really know what it meant so i answered as much as i could but i don't think it was the correct response.
I have still spoke and the examiner didn't stopped me.
How could this effect my score?
Feb 15, 2020
 Paused and thinking for a word
by: Anonymous

I just had given my exam, I answered all the questions but I spoke a little bit fast. Sometimes I have paused thinking for a word will it affect my score?? How much can I expect please do reply
Feb 15, 2020
 Paused and thinking for a word
by: IELTS buddy

It's impossible to predict your score without hearing your test. You are marked on many criteria, now just how fast you speak and pausing for a word.
Nov 19, 2021
 About speaking
by: Anonymous

Hello I have taken my ielts exam recently . In my speaking , I replied all the introductory questions very well in part 1 with good fluency ,similarly , my cue card response was too good with good fluency and without any grammer mistake . In follow up questions I replied questions but in for last to questions i could not reply and I asked to repeat the questions two times .overall speaking was good . Can I get 6 band ??

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