General IELTS Speaking test mistakes to avoid

Here are the some general IELTS Speaking Mistakes which you should avoid. Below we have listed two type of mistakes which students usually make General and Specific mistakes.

Here are the some general IELTS Speaking Mistakes which you should avoid. Below we have listed two type of mistakes which students usually make General and Specific mistakes.

General IELTS Speaking test mistakes to avoid 

1. Speaking with the same intonation through all the test 

You must vary your intonation so that your speech is interesting to listen to. For example, if you are listing reasons or examples, your intonation should go up at the end of each point and then go down at the end of your final sentence so the examiner knows that you have finished your answer.

2. Repeating the same words and phrases 

Even if you have a favourite phrase in English, don’t repeat it too often because you have to demonstrate a range of vocabulary which means speaking with lots of different words.

3. Using technical language that the examiner may not know 

For example, if you are describing your job, make sure you use language which most people know. If you need to use a technical term, try to explain it by giving a simple definition and/or an example.

4. Giving very long answers in part 1 

Answer the questions in part 1 directly. Try to talk for about 20 seconds. There are many questions so if you talk too long, the examiner will have to stop you.

5. Not trying hard in part 3 

The final part of the speaking test is made to push you. The questions get harder and harder so you need to speak with more advanced language and ideas. This can be difficult but you must try.

Specific IELTS Speaking test mistakes to avoid 

1. Using the wrong verb tense in Part 1 

For example: “I am working as a nurse for 5 years.” Make sure you use a perfect tense when you are linking the past and the present: “I have been working as a nurse for 5 years” (I’m still a nurse now).

2. Confusing ‘used to’ for describing past habits and ‘to be/get used to’ for describing things you are accustomed to 

For example: “I used to play football when I was younger but nowadays I’m more used to watching my son play.”

3. Confusing the phrasal verbs ‘to grow up’ and ‘to bring up’ 

For example: “I grew up (active) in Brazil but I was brought up (passive) by my grandparents.”

4. Using ‘good’ as an adverb instead of ‘well’ 

For example: “I play the guitar good” or “I speak French very good”.

5. Using ‘more’ in comparative phrases when it is not necessary 

For example: “The internet has made it more easier to communicate” or It’s much more safer to live in the countryside”.