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IELTS Speaking Part Three: Discussion & Strategies

Summary
IELTS Speaking Part Three is a two-way discussion between the candidate and the examiner, lasting 4–5 minutes. The questions are based on the Part Two topic but are more abstract and opinion-based. This part tests your ability to express and justify opinions, analyze issues, and discuss broader societal topics.

Key Challenges:

• Giving detailed, logical answers instead of short responses

• Using advanced vocabulary and complex grammar

• Managing different question types effectively

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The notes for this lesson can be downloaded here.

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Strategies for a High-Scoring Answer

1. Understanding Question Types

The examiner may ask:
🔹 Opinion Questions – What do you think about…?
🔹 Comparative Questions – How has this changed over time?
🔹 Cause & Effect Questions – Why do you think this happens?
🔹 Prediction Questions – How do you think this will develop in the future?
🔹 Solution Questions – What can be done to solve this issue?

📌 Tip: Recognize the question type quickly to give a relevant and structured answer.

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2. Grammar for High Scores

Use a range of sentence structures to showcase fluency and accuracy:

✅ Complex Sentences: Although technology has made life easier, it has also reduced face-to-face interaction.
✅ Conditionals: If governments invest in education, unemployment rates might decrease.
✅ Passive Voice: New policies are being introduced to address this issue.
✅ Modal Verbs: Governments should focus more on environmental problems.
✅ Comparatives & Superlatives: Online education is more accessible than traditional classrooms.

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3. Answer Structure: The HERO Technique

Use the HERO technique to give well-developed answers:

💡 H – Hook: Start with a general statement (e.g., That’s an interesting question…).
📖 E – Explain: Give a clear explanation.
🌍 R – Reason/Example: Support with a reason or example.
🔚 O – Opinion/Outcome: End with a personal opinion or a future prediction.

Example Question: Why do people prefer online shopping?
✅ Well, online shopping has become very popular in recent years. (Hook)
✅ This is mainly because it is more convenient than going to physical stores. (Explain)
✅ For instance, people can buy products from anywhere with just a few clicks. (Example)
✅ In my opinion, this trend will continue growing as technology improves. (Opinion)

📌 Tip: Aim for 3–5 sentences per answer to provide enough depth.

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4. Time Management & Speaking Fluency

⏳ Take 2–3 seconds to think before answering. It’s okay to say:

• That’s an interesting question. Let me think about that for a moment.

• Well, there are several factors to consider…

📝 Avoid short answers. Instead of saying, "Yes, I think so," expand with reasons and examples.

📌 Tip: If you don’t know the answer, you can speculate using “I’m not entirely sure, but I’d say…”

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Final Advice

✅ Stay confident and speak naturally.
✅ Use varied grammar and vocabulary.
✅ Support your ideas with explanations and examples.
✅ If needed, ask the examiner to repeat or clarify.

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