Introduction Questions for IELTS 2023: Latest Sample Q&A

IELTS is one of the most renowned English proficiency tests accepted by a pool of universities worldwide. Being one of the major eligibility parameters to seek admission, universities pay equal importance to all the four sections of this test – reading, writing, speaking, and listening. As a result, all four sections of IELTS contain an equal weightage of 25%. 

However, a handful of students are confused about the speaking section and the introduction questions for IELTS. The speaking part of this exam is split into four parts and lasts for around 11 to 14 minutes. To simplify this complicated process, we have outlined the various aspects of the IELTS speaking section. The following piece will provide ample information on the introduction for IELTS speaking, a few sample questions, and some tips and tricks to score well in this section.

What Happens in the IELTS Speaking Introduction?

After arriving at the test centre, candidates have to leave their belongings in a room and then proceed to the waiting area. Shortly after this, the examiner calls in the names of the candidates. Candidates must note that the entire test is recorded and will consist of three parts, namely part 1, part 2, and part 3. In part 1 of the speaking test, the examiner will typically ask 4 to 6 preliminary questions on familiar topics. Expectedly, the examiner will introduce himself/herself and ask the candidate to confirm his/her identity. The questions in this part are fairly simple, containing topics related to home, work, family, studies, interests, etc. Part 1 of this test will last for around 4 to 5 minutes. In the introduction part, it is customary that the examiner will ask for the candidate’s name. After that, the candidates are asked to show their passport, describe what they do, where they are from, and a few other conversation-starter questions.

How to Introduce Yourself in IELTS Speaking?

One of the major misconceptions among candidates is their outlook on the ‘first impression’. Various candidates seem to believe that the first impression indicates how a person looks. This doesn’t seem right. The first impression means the impact that one leaves in the examiner’s mind through the very beginning of the test, that is the part 1. In simple words, one’s ability to answer the introduction questions for IELTS will make the examiner differentiate the candidate as an English speaker of introductory, intermediate, or skilled level. Therefore, test takers must refrain from giving silly answers in part 1 of the speaking test. 

Here are a few points that candidates must remember while introducing themselves:

• Be comfortable, but at the same time maintain the decorum of the interview. Refrain from giving an uncomfortable or rigid look to the examiner. In addition, do not answer a question with a simple yes or no. Candidates must try to explain their answers as much as possible.
• When the examiner asks for the name, candidates must not only provide their nickname. Rather, they should start by telling their first name followed by their surname. After this, they can ask the examiner to call them by a particular name/nickname.
• While answering the examiner’s question, “tell me something about yourself”, candidates must avoid including any information about their family. This is because one’s family is an entirely different matter. One can consider ideas like profession, hobbies, marital status, aim in life, etc.
• Examiners may also ask a few questions about a candidate’s family. To answer these questions, one should keep them short and crisp while imposing a clear idea. Candidates must note that speaking part 1 focuses on describing, giving reasons, and providing references. For example, to answer the question, “ what are you doing at the moment” candidates must explain, “I am a student pursuing higher education from..” and never simply state the answer as “student”.
• Candidates are generally asked about their reasons to take up the IELTS exam. They should try to be reasonable while answering this. Trying to give an extra smart answer may generate a bad impression. For instance, if one wants to apply for a university, he/she must try to include that information in their answer. Candidates appearing for the speaking exam must acknowledge their motive in front of the examiner, rather than implying that they want to take this exam to ensure how good they are in English.
• The examiner may also include some questions based on topics like food, travel, sports, etc. Answering these questions will define the lifestyle of a candidate. One should remember not to explain these answers. Rather, they should tell them whatever they know.
• Try to answer as much as possible. A negative answer may lead to a decreased score as the examiner may grade the candidate as a preparatory speaker.

In simple words, candidates answering the introduction questions of IELTSmust prepare for the short and easy questions. They should aim to describe their answers the most and avoid any negative answers. 

Sample Introduction Questions for IELTS with Answers

Some of the common questions that candidates can encounter in part 1 of the IELTS speaking test are mentioned below. These questions also have the answer for better information for prospective candidates.

Can you tell me your name?

Sure, my name is Prashant Shekhar, and you can call me Prashant. 

Where are you from?

I come from a city in Uttar Pradesh called Jaunpur. We lived in a close-knit community within the boundaries of a society. However, I have been living in Lucknow for the past three years to pursue my graduation from Lucknow University. I chose Lucknow because the curriculum here is good and it’s not too far away from home.

What do you do in your free time?

I like to paint. So, when I am free, I like to take out my brushes and paint something through my imagination. At other times, when I don’t feel like painting, I watch a movie or hang out with my friends. However, since I am in my last year of graduation, I am trying to limit visiting the outside world and focus more on my studies. 

Do you have friends? (why or why not?)

I do not have many friends. In university, I have 3 friends, including my roommate. I tend to connect more with my roommate since we have been staying together for so much time now. Also, back home, I have many school friends. I am not in constant contact with them currently due to the distance. But, whenever I visit my hometown, I try to meet them and have some fun time together. With time and distance, my friend count has gone down. However, I have a few people on whom I can count.

Are you friendly with your neighbours?

I have to say that I am lucky to have such good and supportive neighbours. I am close to my neighbours and often celebrate all the festivals together. We have been staying close for a decade and have become close relatives now. We have an invisible bond and a mutual liking that ties us together like a family. I always respect their privacy and opinions and try to help them whenever they are in need. 

Why IELTS?

Well, I have always wanted to pursue political science from the UK, given their top-notch education quality. But, to get admission into a top UK university, I need to get at least 6.5 bands in IELTS. So, I have been studying hard to secure my place. 

Tips & Tricks for Your IELTS Speaking Introduction

Candidates may look at the following tips and tricks to answer the IELTS speaking introduction questions in a better way:

Do not memorize the answers

One of the foremost rules before taking the speaking test is to stop memorizing the answers. Many candidates tend to look at the sample questions and memorize their answers. Remember that memorized answers will pose a negative impact and can influence a bad score.

Ignore using unfamiliar words

Many times, candidates may want to impress the examiner with big and unfamiliar words. But, to be safe, one should avoid using such words that they are not familiar with. This is because there is a greater chance of mispronouncing the word or adding them in the wrong context. Having said that, increasing the vocabulary is a good idea. But, candidates should use a range of vocabulary that they are familiar with in a relatable context. 

Use grammatical structures

Introduction questions for IELTS evaluate a candidate’s English proficiency against the following criteria:

1. Coherence and fluency
2. Grammatical accuracy and range
3. Lexical resource
4. Pronunciation

Hence, candidates must put into practice a range of grammatical structures with a mixture of simplex and simple sentences. One of the best ways of doing so is to understand your own mistakes and practice speaking in English in front of friends. Candidates can also record their speaking abilities and point out the mistakes if any. 

Do not stress too much upon the accent

As a matter of fact, the examiner fairly understands a wide range of accents. Moreover, it is quite natural for non-native English speakers to have an accent. So, while giving an introduction for IELTS, if you can communicate clearly, there is nothing else to worry about.However, at the same time, one should practice unfamiliar words and use intonation and stress because English is a stress-timed language. 

Pause, think, and then answer

When the examiner asks you to introduce yourself to IELTS, you must know that there is no harm in taking a small pause. Use the pause to think about the answer and then proceed. Certain candidates tend to rush to the answer, which, in turn, hampers their flow. To avoid awkwardness while taking a pause, candidates can use phrases like:

1. Oh, that is an interesting question…
2. That is a rather difficult question, but I will try my best to answer it
3. Let’s think about it
4. Please allow me to think about it for a minute

Limit the use of fillers

Candidates must remember to speak confidently and avoid the use of fillers. People generally put fillers where they are unaware of what to say. So, it is crucial that test-takers avoid words like:

1. You know
2. Umm..
3. Well
4. Yeah, etc.

Try to make the answers long

Try to answer the questions in full and provide as much explanation as possible. At the same time, do not make the answers too long and boring. When the answers are short, the examiner will believe that the candidate is unaware of the topic. 

What Not to do During IELTS Speaking Introduction?

Here are a few pointers describing what a candidate should avoid while answering the introduction questions for IELTS:

• When the examiner asks for the name, candidates must only state their name. They must not try to explain the meaning of their name because this was not the question. You should indeed expand your answers, but at the same time, you must not divert from the topic. 
• Candidates must strictly refrain from using an overly informal tone. The IELTS exam is formal and also one of the most prestigious ones. Hence, the way you speak is a major determining factor for your overall score.
• Do not always use the words that you find different or interesting. For instance, refrain from using “I currently reside in…”. The word ‘reside’ is good but is not a formal word that one should be using in an examination.

What Happens After the IELTS Speaking Introduction?

After the candidate is done with the introduction questions for IELTS, the examiner proceeds with asking three short questions based upon three topics. Here, the examiner has to choose a batch of three questions from a list of 40 varying topics provided in the exam booklet. Here are a few questions that candidates are likely to get after the introductory part of the test:

Talk about where you live

State:

• What do you like the most about your town/city?
• Do tourists visit your city/town often?
• State the recent changes in your hometown.

Talk about hobbies

State:

• What do you do in your free time
• How have your hobbies emerged

Talk about fashion

State:

• Does fashion interest you?
• Where do you shop your clothes from?
• Any latest fashion trends you follow

Candidates must remember to expand their questions for this part. Otherwise, the examiner may drop the ‘why’ question until they give them some solid explanation. 

Conclusion

First impressions are indeed crucial. While the examiner is a trained professional who evaluates the language skills of individuals, they are extremely pleased when candidates show good body language. So, with that in mind, candidates must sit straight and make eye contact with the examiner while answering the introduction questions for IELTS. Moreover, Candidates preparing for IELTS must be accustomed to the rising cost of education in foreign countries. At times, this may also be a cause of concern for several enthusiasts. At Leap Scholar, we try to make your study abroad plans affordable by providing financial assistance. Since its inception, we have funded more than 3000 students and plan to extend our legacy further.