A Lecture on Public Speakings- IELTS Speaking Sample Answer

IELTS Listening section consists of four sections with a duration of 30 minutes. This topic - A Lecture on Public Speakings is IELTS listening part 4. The candidate needs to properly listen to the IELTS listening audio as it is only played once. This section consists of the following question types:

• Choose the correct answer
• No more than 2 words/a number

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Topic: A Lecture on Public Speaking
Audio Transcript
Section 4

You will hear an extract from a talk about the history of motor racing.
First you will have time to look at questions 31 to 40.
(Pause the recording for 30 seconds)
Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

It Is only natural to feel somewhat nervous before giving a speech, and while a few nerves never did any harm - and can in fact prove beneficial - letting your nerves overcome you can be detrimental. Today's presentation will focus on ways to control those butterflies and help you to give better presentations in future.

First and foremost, you've got to know your material. I can't stress that enough. If you fail to prepare, you might as well prepare to fall. Even the most experienced speakers never turn up unprepared and NEVER try to wing it. Personalise your subject and use humour, anecdotes and conversational language. This will make it easier for you to remember what you want to say.

Secondly, practise, practise, practise! Rehearse well in advance, and preferably out loud, and with all the equipment you plan on using. Practise your timing - when to pause and when to breathe - and prepare for the unexpected. Something always goes wrong, especially when you are relying on technology. So always have a back-up plan.

Get to know your audience before you have to stand up in front of them. Meet and greet them on the way in, perhaps. It is much easier to talk to a group of friends than a group of strangers. And, just as importantly, know your room as well. Arrive early, pace the speaking area and practice using the microphone and visual aids.

The hardest part is trying to relax. Never rush straight into your speech. Begin slowly and address the audience first. In fact, even before you start, take a few deep breaths. You know - one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand - this will turn your nervous energy into enthusiasm.

Pause (4 seconds)

Visualisation can be a great confidence booster. Visualise yourself making the speech in the wav that you intend. Imagine your voice loud and confident, and picture the audience clapping and rooting for you. Remember, people want you to succeed. The audience wants to hear an interesting and insightful speech. They aren't hoping you make, a fool of yourself.

Whatever you do. avoid making unnecessary apologies. If you make a mistake or two, forget about it. Few will notice and it will all be forgotten before too long.

People often forget the importance of body language. Don't underestimate this. Your words carry far less meaning than your delivery. Success is defined by your intonation and confidence. If you come across as a confident person, people will listen to you - you will command their attention. Stand tall and proud and deliver with conviction. Humans are very bad listeners. We remember less than 25 percent of what is said and place far more emphasis on how it is said.

Last of all, be realistic and give yourself a chance. No one becomes the perfect speaker overnight. It takes time to hone your presentation skills.

That is the end of Part four. You now have half a minute to check your answers. (Pause the recording for 30 seconds) That is the end of the listening test. In the IELTS test you would now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet.

Questions 31-40

Questions 31-35

Choose the correct letter A, B or C. Write answers next to 31-35 on your answer sheet.

31. Speakers have to know

1. their material.
2. their audience.
3. their limitations.

Answer: 31 A

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about if the audience have got to know theirr material.

Also check:

32. Experienced speakers

1. always try to wing it.
2. never arrive unprepared.
3. give the best presentations.

Answer: 32 B

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about how even the most experienced speakers never turn up unprepared and NEVER try to wing it.

33. You should always rehearse

1. with friends who can advise you.
2. with all the equipment you plan on using.
3. more than once.

Answer: 33 B

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about rehearsing well in advance, and preferably out loud, and with all the equipment you plan on using.

34. It is a good idea to

1. be discreet with your audience.
2. meet your fans.
3. meet and welcome your audience.

Answer: 34 C

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about meet and greet them on the way in, perhaps.

35. Taking a few deep breaths before you begin

1. will stop you having a panic attack.
2. will guarantee that you feel more relaxed.
3. will help turn your tension into enthusiasm.

Answer: 35 C

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about before you start, take a few deep breaths. You know - one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand - this will turn your nervous energy into enthusiasm.

Questions 36-40
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Useful Tips for a Successful Presentation

Try to 36____________________yourself making a speech and imagine your voice loud and confident.

Even if you make mistakes avoid making 37____________________

Pay attention to your 38________________ your words carry less meaning than your delivery.

People usually remember less than 39____________of what they hear.

Be 40_______________about yourself; you don’t become a perfect speaker overnight.

Answer: 36 visualise

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about visualisation can be a great confidence booster. Visualise yourself making the speech in the wav that you intend.

Answer: 37 apologies

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about avoiding making unnecessary apologies.

Answer: 38 body language

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about people often forget the importance of body language.

Answer: 39 25%

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker talks about humans are very bad listeners. They have a tendency to remember less than 25 percent of what is said.

Answer: 40 realistic

Explanation: In the monologue, the speaker advices to be realistic and give yourself a chance. No one becomes the perfect speaker overnight. It takes time to hone your presentation skills.