IELTS / TOEFL: How to Solve IELTS Speaking Part 3 - Discussion and Abstract Questions - Extending, Justifying

How to Solve: IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Discussion and Abstract Questions (Extending, Justifying)

Introduction Mastering this task can help you gain 0.5-1 band in IELTS Speaking, as it requires you to think critically and express complex ideas clearly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST You should already have: - The ability to paraphrase and rephrase sentences. - Knowledge of essay structure, including introduction, body, and conclusion. - Familiarity with vocabulary related to abstract concepts.

CORE CONTENT

Anatomy of the task

• The question will be abstract and require you to think deeply about a topic.
• You will be expected to discuss and justify your opinions, using examples and evidence.
• Common traps include: ⚠️ Starting with a weak or vague answer. ⚠️ Failing to provide enough supporting evidence. ⚠️ Using overly complex vocabulary that you don't fully understand.

Step-by-step strategy

1. Read and understand the question: Take a moment to read the question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked.
2. Brainstorm ideas: Think about your opinions and ideas related to the topic, and jot down key points.
3. Choose a clear and concise answer: Select one of your ideas and develop it into a clear and concise answer.
4. Use supporting evidence: Think of examples or evidence that support your answer, and use them to justify your opinion.
5. Practice paraphrasing and rephrasing: Use your own words to express your ideas, and avoid repeating the question or using the same words.

Solved example

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad? Model answer: "I think studying abroad has both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, it provides an opportunity to learn a new language and culture, which can broaden one's perspective and increase employability. On the other hand, it can be expensive and require significant adjustments to one's lifestyle. For example, I know someone who studied abroad and had to work part-time to support themselves, which was challenging but ultimately rewarding. Overall, I believe that the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks, but it's essential to carefully consider the costs and potential difficulties before making a decision."

Common Mistakes (3-5)

1. Mistake: Starting with a weak or vague answer.
2. Why it happens: Students may not take the time to think carefully about the question and their response.
3. How to fix it: Take a moment to brainstorm ideas and choose a clear and concise answer.
4. Mistake: Failing to provide enough supporting evidence.
5. Why it happens: Students may not think to use examples or evidence to justify their opinions.
6. How to fix it: Make sure to think of relevant examples or evidence and use them to support your answer.
7. Mistake: Using overly complex vocabulary that you don't fully understand.
8. Why it happens: Students may try to use big words to sound more impressive, but end up using them incorrectly.
9. How to fix it: Choose vocabulary that you are familiar with and use it correctly in context.

CRAM SHEET (10 short one-liners)

1. Take a moment to read and understand the question.
2. Brainstorm ideas before choosing an answer.
3. Use supporting evidence to justify your opinion.
4. Practice paraphrasing and rephrasing to express your ideas clearly.
5. Avoid using overly complex vocabulary that you don't fully understand.
6. Use your own words to express your ideas.
7. Make sure to provide enough supporting evidence.
8. Take a moment to think carefully about the question and your response.
9. Use examples or evidence to support your answer.
10. Practice, practice, practice to build your confidence and skills.