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Updated on Oct 09, 2024, 06:16
In the IELTS Speaking Test, the topic "Describe a person who has strong opinions" requires you to discuss someone known for holding firm beliefs on certain issues. This might include their ability to express views confidently, stand by their principles, and influence others through their ideas. When addressing this topic, it’s essential to consider the reasons behind their strong opinions, how they communicate them, and how these opinions shape their interactions with others. Reflecting on such factors will help you develop a more structured and coherent response, which is crucial for achieving a high IELTS score.
Practising this topic not only broadens your vocabulary related to communication and personality traits but also improves your ability to present balanced and thoughtful arguments. By focusing on fluency, coherence, and effective use of examples, you can enhance the quality of your speaking and improve your chances of reaching your target IELTS band score. Familiarising yourself with such topics will prepare you to handle a variety of question types confidently during the test.
Introduction (Covers:Who is this person? / How did you know him/her?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: Why do you think he/she is an opinionated person?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Explain how you feel about him/her.)
Conclusion
Introduction (Covers:Who is this person? / How did you know him/her?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: Why do you think he/she is an opinionated person?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Explain how you feel about him/her.)
Conclusion
Introduction (Covers:Who is this person? / How did you know him/her?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: Why do you think he/she is an opinionated person?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Explain how you feel about him/her.)
Conclusion
When the cue card section starts, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic written on it. You will have one minute to prepare your response, and then you will need to speak about the topic for one to two minutes. This is your opportunity to showcase your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a given subject.
The best way to answer these cue cards is by breaking down your response into four parts: Introduction, describing your experience/opinion/interest, key highlights, and conclusion.
Introduction (Covers:Who is this person? / How did you know him/her?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: Why do you think he/she is an opinionated person?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Explain how you feel about him/her.)
Conclusion
By following this structure, you can ensure that your response is well-organised, clear, and detailed, fitting within the two-minute time limit. Now, let’s look at a sample answer to illustrate how you can apply this structure effectively.
In the IELTS Speaking Test, the examiner will ask follow-up/ two-way discussion questions after you finish speaking about your cue card topic. This part of the test helps the examiner assess your ability to discuss the topic in more depth, providing detailed answers and expanding on your initial response. You should expect questions that explore your reasoning, experiences, and opinions related to the topic.
Answer 1: Yes, I think it’s important for people to have strong opinions, as it reflects their beliefs and values. Having a firm stance on certain issues shows that a person has thought deeply about them. However, it’s equally important to be open to other perspectives and willing to adapt or reconsider one’s opinion if presented with new information.
Answer 2: I believe it’s essential for people to have strong opinions, especially on important matters like social justice or environmental issues. Strong opinions drive action and change. However, being too rigid can be problematic. It’s important to balance strong opinions with a willingness to engage in open dialogue and listen to others’ viewpoints.
Answer 1: I think people should express their strong opinions respectfully and calmly. It’s important to communicate your views clearly, but without belittling or offending others who may disagree. Keeping an open mind during discussions and backing up your points with reasoned arguments can help create a productive dialogue, even when opinions differ.
Answer 2: People should express their strong opinions thoughtfully and respectfully. It’s important to avoid being confrontational, as that can lead to unnecessary conflict. Instead, they should focus on explaining their point of view while also considering others’ opinions. A well-structured argument can be far more persuasive than one delivered aggressively.
Answer 1: The advantage of having strong opinions is that it shows confidence and conviction. It can help in making decisive choices and standing up for important causes. However, the disadvantage is that it can lead to stubbornness and difficulty in accepting alternative perspectives. If someone is too rigid in their views, it might strain relationships or hinder meaningful discussions.
Answer 2: Having strong opinions can be empowering, as it reflects a clear sense of direction and belief in one’s principles. On the downside, strong opinions can sometimes alienate others, especially if they are expressed too forcefully or without consideration for different viewpoints. Balancing conviction with open-mindedness is key to avoiding this issue.
Answer 1: Yes, society definitely benefits from people having strong opinions, as it drives discussions and promotes change. Strong opinions can lead to progress in areas like human rights or environmental protection. However, for society to truly benefit, these opinions must be shared constructively, allowing for dialogue and compromise, rather than conflict.
Answer 2: I think society benefits from strong opinions because they spark debate and can lead to positive change. For example, movements for equality and justice often begin with individuals who have strong views. However, these opinions need to be expressed in a way that fosters understanding and collaboration, rather than creating division.
Ans. In Part 2, you'll be given a cue card with a specific topic and some points to cover. You’ll have one minute to prepare, during which you can jot down notes. Then, you’ll speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes. This part tests your ability to organize thoughts and speak at length on a given subject.
Ans. Part 3 is a two-way discussion with the examiner about more abstract and complex topics related to Part 2. You should focus on expressing your opinions clearly, providing detailed explanations, and supporting your ideas with examples. This part assesses your ability to discuss ideas in depth and engage in analytical thinking.
Ans. The Speaking section is scored on four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Each criterion is weighted equally, and you'll receive a band score for each, which are then averaged to give your overall Speaking score. The examiner evaluates how well you communicate, not just the accuracy of your language.
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