Speaking practice
Topic- Home
The speaking test is an opportunity for you to really show off your English. A crucial element to your speaking test is to keep the conversation flowing and say as much as you can.
It is better to make the odd grammar mistake or have the odd pause or hesitation, than to have a limited amount to say, give short clipped answers, and not give the examiner enough examples of your speaking abilities.
The key things to perfect with your practice is:
- Avoid too many pauses
- Avoid elongated pauses
- Avoid repetition
- Apply varied vocabulary
How can I prepare for the speaking test?
When practicing, try to think of the different avenues the topic could take. A useful way to practice this with all of the topics, is to create a mind-map.
Get down everything you can possibly say about the topic in 15 minutes and you will surprise yourself with how much there is to talk about.
Mind map example
Try using this image to generate questions about this topic, and have a go at mind-mapping yourself.
Extended questions
The key to practicing and forming interesting responses, is to practice for all questions possible. Answer these questions when practicing talking about home/where you grew up/routines and habits.
- Where did you grow up?
- Did you like where you grew up? What were the advantages and disadvantages?
- Would you raise your children in the same place? Why/why not?
- What were the main activities to do growing up?
- How would you describe your hometown to someone who has never been?
- Has it changed over the years? If so, how?
- Did you have a routine as a child?
- Has this routined remained with you over the years?
- Are you someone who enjoys having a routine?
- Morning routines have become popular to share on social media, what is your opinion on people sharing their morning routines?
- Do you have any particular habits?
- Are any of these habits learned or inspired by others?
- What would you consider to be good and bad habits?
Visual questions
