Speak in connected ideas.

Eight tasks, eight shapes. Learn what each one is asking for, then join your points with connectors the listener can follow.

The method

The same idea as Writing: join short ideas into longer, connected sentences. In speech, connectors also act as signposts. They tell the rater where you are going, which is what the official Listenability and Coherence scores reward. Speak at a steady pace and pause briefly at each connector, so a long sentence still sounds easy.

01Use the preparation time to jot three keywords, not full sentences. You cannot read a script aloud naturally.
02Start the moment you hear “Start speaking now.” A slow start costs seconds you need.
03Fill the time. Finishing 20 seconds early hurts Task Fulfillment more than being cut off mid-sentence.
04Talk to the person in the task. Use their name and say “you”, as if they were in the room.
05Join ideas with connectors, then pause briefly at each one. That pause is what makes a long sentence easy to follow.
06If you make a mistake, correct it once (“I mean…”) and keep going. Stopping is worse than the mistake.
07Treat templates as a shape, not a script. Raters notice memorised speech that ignores the question.

The eight tasks

TASK 1

Giving Advice

Prep 30 sSpeak 90 s

A friend or family member has a problem or a decision. Give them advice.

Give three pieces of advice, each with a reason and a quick example. That fills 90 seconds comfortably.
Vary how you advise: “I’d recommend…”, “you might want to…”, “if I were you, I’d…”.
Say what will happen if they follow your advice. That is the part most candidates skip.

Template

Hi [name], I heard that [their situation], so I'd like to give you a few suggestions. First of all, I'd recommend that you [advice 1], because [reason]. That way, [benefit]. On top of that, it might be worth [advice 2], seeing as [reason]. Just to give you an idea, [quick example]. Last but not least, if I were you, I'd [advice 3], since [reason]. All in all, as long as you [short summary], I'm sure [positive outcome]. Good luck!

TASK 2

Talking about a Personal Experience

Prep 30 sSpeak 60 s

Describe a time something happened to you, and how you felt.

Choose a story in the first five seconds of preparation. A simple true story beats a clever one you are still inventing.
Keep to the past tense, and move the story along with time markers: at first, then, after that, in the end.
End with how you felt and what you learned. That turns a list of events into an answer.

Template

I remember a time when [the situation], which happened [when / where]. At first, [what happened]. Then, [what happened next], and as a result, [consequence]. To be honest, I felt [emotion], because [reason]. Looking back, what I learned was that [lesson], so if that happened again, I'd [what you would do].

TASK 3

Describing a Scene

Prep 30 sSpeak 60 s

Describe a picture to someone who cannot see it.

Start with one sentence on the whole scene, then move through it in order: foreground, middle, background.
Use the present continuous for actions: “a man is checking his watch”.
Add one guess about the mood or the reason for what is happening (“it looks like…”). Five or six detailed observations beat a list of twenty objects.

Template

In this picture, I can see [the place], and it seems to be [time of day / season]. In the foreground, there's [a person], who is [action]. Right next to them, [another detail]. In the middle of the picture, [detail], while [another person is doing something]. In the background, [detail], and it looks like [your guess]. Overall, the atmosphere seems [adjective], since [reason].

TASK 4

Making Predictions

Prep 30 sSpeak 60 s

Using the same picture, say what will probably happen next.

Do not describe the scene again. Every sentence should look forward.
Mix future forms: will, going to, is likely to, might, chances are.
Tie each prediction to something visible: “because she keeps looking at the clock”.

Template

I think that in the next few minutes, [person] is going to [prediction], because [clue in the picture]. It's quite likely that [prediction 2], since [clue]. Meanwhile, [another person] will probably [prediction 3]. Chances are [prediction 4], which means [result]. In the end, I'd expect [final outcome].

TASK 5

Comparing and Persuading

Prep 60 s choose · 60 s prepSpeak 60 s

Choose between two options. Someone now prefers a third option: persuade them yours is better.

In Part 1, pick the option with the clearest advantages, not the one you personally like.
Compare directly with Option C using comparatives: cheaper, closer, more reliable, far more convenient.
Persuade this person: mention what matters to them. Acknowledge one strength of Option C, then answer it.

Template

I understand why you like [Option C], but I really think [your option] is the better choice. To begin with, [advantage 1], whereas [Option C's weakness]. Not only that, but [advantage 2], which means [benefit to them]. I know [Option C] [its strength]; having said that, [your answer]. So, all things considered, [your option] gives us [summary]. What do you say?

TASK 6

Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Prep 60 sSpeak 60 s

Choose one of two ways to handle an awkward situation, then speak to the person involved.

Choose quickly, then spend the preparation time on what you will say to that person.
Match the tone to the listener: polite and calm with a manager, warm with a friend.
Explain the problem, show you understand their side, and offer a solution or compromise.

Template

Hi [name], I'm calling about [the situation]. I know this is a little awkward, but [the problem]. The thing is, [reason]. I was wondering if [your request / choice]. I completely understand that [their point of view], so how about [compromise]? That way, [benefit for both]. I really hope you understand, and thanks so much for [listening / your help].

TASK 7

Expressing Opinions

Prep 30 sSpeak 90 s

Give and support your opinion on a question.

Pick a side immediately, even if you could argue both. A balanced “it depends” answer sounds unsure.
Two reasons, each with an example, fill 90 seconds better than four thin ones.
Answer the other side once, then restate your position in different words at the end.

Template

In my opinion, [your position], for two main reasons. First of all, [reason 1]. For instance, [example], which shows that [link back]. Secondly, [reason 2]. What I mean is, [explain], so [effect]. Granted, some people believe [the other side]; even so, [your answer]. That's why I firmly believe that [position, reworded].

TASK 8

Describing an Unusual Situation

Prep 30 sSpeak 60 s

Describe an unusual object or situation to someone on the phone who cannot see it.

Cover size, shape, colour, material and the main parts, in that order.
Compare it with things the listener knows: “about the size of a shoebox”, “it looks a bit like…”.
Remember why you are calling. Finish with what you want them to decide or do.

Template

Hi [name], I'm at [place], and I've found [the object] that I think you'd like. It's about the size of [comparison], and it's [shape], made of [material]. On the top, there's [detail], while at the bottom, [detail]. It looks a bit like [familiar object], but [difference]. What makes it special is that [feature]. So, [why you're calling]. Let me know if you'd like me to [action].

Connectors that sound natural

Spoken connectors are lighter than written ones. “On top of that” sounds natural out loud; “furthermore” sounds read. Use these in place of the basic word.

JobInstead ofSayExample

Add a point

and, also

On top of thatNot only that, butWhat's morePlus,

The gym is close to home. On top of that, it's open twenty-four hours.

Give a reason

because

The reason is thatSeeing asGiven thatThat's because

I'd take the train, seeing as parking downtown is so expensive.

Show a result

That's whyAs a result,which meansThat way,

Book early. That way, you'll get the cheaper seats.

Contrast

but

Having said that,Even so,That said,On the other hand,

It's a bit pricey. Having said that, it lasts for years.

Concede

I know

Granted,I get thatI completely understand thatAdmittedly,

I completely understand that you're busy, but this won't take long.

Give an example

for example

Just to give you an idea,Take … for instanceA good example is

Just to give you an idea, last month I saved almost a hundred dollars.

Advise

you should

If I were you, I'dI'd strongly recommendYou might want toIt might be worth

If I were you, I'd talk to your manager before you decide.

Predict

maybe

Chances areIt's quite likely thatI'd expectThere's a good chance

Chances are the bus will arrive any minute now.

Place things

there is

In the foreground,Right next toIn the top corner,Just behind

In the foreground, a woman is checking her watch.

Buy thinking time

um, uh

Let me think,What I mean is,The thing is,How can I put it,

The thing is, the second option takes much longer.

Wrap up

in conclusion

All in all,At the end of the day,So, overall,That's why

At the end of the day, it's your decision, but I'd go for it.

Download the PDFs

One card per task. Keep the one you are practising in front of you, and say the template out loud with your own ideas in the gaps.

After every answer

Three keywords noted during preparation, no full sentences.
Started speaking the moment the recording began.
Spoke to the person by name and said “you”.
Used at least three connectors, with a short pause at each.
Kept talking until the time ran out.

Try it under real conditions: Speaking Test 1 is free, with the same timers and the “Start speaking now” cue as test day.

Start Speaking Test 1