How to Tackle Unfamiliar Topics in IELTS Speaking

Jan 13, 2022

While preparing for the IELTS examination, many candidates are scared that if they are asked about some unfamiliar topics then how will they respond. There are very few chances of getting any unfamiliar topic in the IELTS speaking task. Since the chances of getting an unfamiliar topic are very less, it mostly depends on how you are preparing for the IELTS Speaking task. generally, in the IELTS speaking task, the candidates are not checked for their knowledge or how well their IELTS preparation is in terms of the topic, instead, they are being tested on the following four parameters:

Grammar
Pronunciation
Lexical Resources
Fluency and Coherence

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Firstly, let us take into account the structure of the IELTS speaking examination:

In part 1 of the IELTS Speaking task, the questions were asked about the family, place of birth, interests, college or job, and other topics.

In part 2 of the IELTS Speaking task, the candidates are given cue card topics. Hence this part 2 is also called cue cards where the candidates are given two to three minutes to prepare for the cue card topics.

In part 3 of the IELTS Speaking task, the candidates are given topics for discussion. The topics of discussion are based on section 2. In this part, the candidates must make a proper and in-depth analysis of the topic and must present their views about the topic more comprehensively.

Strategies to Tackle Unfamiliar Topic in IELTS Speaking Test

There will come situations during the IELTS Speaking examination when you feel like the topic being asked for discussion or given in a cue card or about yourself is unfamiliar to you, do not panic. This situation might get you stressed but do not take the stress. Take a deep breath and try to analyze the topic and think of something to handle that topic. Here are some of the IELTS Speaking tips are given below, which can be of great use to you while coming across any unfamiliar topic:

Be Honest

Remember in the speaking task, you are not tested for how much knowledge you possess about the particular topic, or how well you know that. Instead, you are tested for the other four parameters described in this article above, i.e., grammar, fluency and coherence, pronunciation, and lexicon resources. In the examination, if you feel like you do not know anything about that topic, or your mind goes blank hearing about the topic, convey your situation to the examiner. But be honest with the examiner and clearly explain your situation to the examiner. Remember that in explaining your reason, you will get judged on the four parameters of the evaluation of the IELTS Speaking task. there is nothing like the correct or wrong answers in the IELTS Speaking task interview.

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Come Up with a Story

It is correct if you want to build up a new story instantly when you feel the topic in the interview is unfamiliar to you. If you have any rough ideas about the topic or you feel that your ideas are supportive of the topic, instantly build a story as you will be tested for your English not the content of the story. but have clarity in the story, if you feel that you are struggling to build a story about the topic, skip it without giving it a thought.

Long Pauses can be Destructive

As already discussed above, in the IELTS Speaking examination, you will be judged on four parameters and one of them is fluency and coherence. If you take long pauses while expressing your thoughts in front of the examiner, you won’t be able to fetch a high band score. It is fine if you take time to organize your thoughts and ideas before starting with the discussion but once you start speaking, don’t take long pauses in thinking of some new ideas. A second or two pauses are fine while speaking to give a break before you present the new point but a long pause can be destructive for your high IELTS band score.

Silence Will Not Help

If you do not have any idea about the topic, do not remain silent in front of the examiner as this will not create a good impression on him. Keeping silent means you are not allowing the examiner to evaluate you for your speaking skills. Though you can take a little time before speaking to organize your thoughts or come up with new ideas, being silent will not help. If you think you do not know much about the topic, you can explain your situation to the examiner and speak of some related topics. Practice IELTS speaking to make sure you do not go off track from the topic and speak something irreverent of the topic.

Be Elaborative

Have good and elaborative content ready for speaking. You are tested for your speaking skills, if you finish the discussion in one or two sentences, the examiner will not be able to judge you for your speaking skills. Make sure you elaborate your ideas and thoughts with some supportive sentences on the given topic.

Don’t Use Fillers

Most of the time while speaking when we don’t get the correct word or when we miss any point, we tend to use fillers like ‘umm’, ‘eh’, ‘uh’. But in the IELTS Speaking examination, these fillers are not acceptable. If you keep using these fillers while speaking you might lose a chance of getting a high band score in the interview. Use of the fillers will create an impression on the examiner that you are finding it difficult to convey your ideas in words. So don’t use fillers while speaking for the IELTS Speaking task.

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Practice and Practice

Practice is one of the best ways to achieve a high band in the IELTS Speaking task. One way to deal with an unfamiliar topic is to be prepared beforehand with some of the common topics that are of high chance to be asked in the examination. practice for such topics in front of your friends, colleagues, family, and others. Some of these IELTS speaking topics include: