Key grammar structures needed for IELTS. Learn how to use these correctly to improve your band score.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will be looking in-depth at tenses.
In the IELTS Speaking Test, the examiner will probably ask you questions that will require you to answer with the correct tense, while also giving additional information.
Listen for the tenses in the questions, as this is the tense you should use in your answer. You should be able to understand if the question is about the past, the present or the future. Think about using related tenses when giving more information if relevant.
For example, the examiner might ask you;
What are your future career plans?
I would like to study for a Master’s and go much further academically, in the next 3-5 years. I had previously studied creative writing as part of my university course. I have a huge interest in seeing where my creativity could take me. I want to be able to write novels in the future, preferably non-fiction.
What tenses are used in the answer?
TIP >> The questions asked is an opportunity for you to talk about your own experiences, with examples. A simple answer will not gain you a high band score. You must extend your answer giving more information to show off your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
The Past Simple
The past simple and the past continuous are commonly used to describe events in the past.
The past simple is used to express something that happened a past point in time. Remember to always use a past time expression, or a clear contextual clue when using the past simple. If you do not indicate when something happened, use the present perfect for unspecified past.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
… ago
… in + year / month
…yesterday
…last week/month/year… when …
Examples;
Positive
Subject + Past Tense + object(s) + time Expression
I went to the beach yesterday.
Negative
Subject + did + not (didn’t) + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They didn’t join us for lunch yesterday.
Question
(Question Word) + did + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression
When did you buy that jacket?
The Past Continuous
The past continuous tense is used to describe what was happening at a specific moment in the past. Do not use this form when referring to longer periods of time in the past such as ‘last May’, ‘three years ago’, etc.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
… at 6.30, four o’clock, etc.
Examples;
Positive
Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
We were meeting with Lana at one o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Negative
Subject + was / were + not (wasn’t, weren’t) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They weren’t playing volleyball at two o’clock on Sunday.
Question
(Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What were you doing at three-thirty yesterday afternoon?
The Present Simple
The present simple is used to express daily routines and habits. Adverbs of frequency such as ‘usually’, ‘sometimes’, ‘rarely’, etc. are often used with the present simple.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
always, usually, sometimes, etc.
… every day
… on Sundays, Tuesdays, etc.
Positive
Subject + Present Tense + object(s) + time Expression
Jamie usually, takes a train to college.
Negative
Subject + do / does + not (don’t / doesn’t) + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They don’t often go to London.
Question
(Question Word) + do / does + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression
How often do you play volleyball?
The Present Continuous
One use of the present continuous tense is for action that is occurring at the moment of speaking. Remember that only action verbs can take the continuous form.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
… at the moment
… now
… today
… this morning/afternoon/evening
Positive
Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
She’s watching a movie now
Negative
Subject + be + not (isn’t, aren’t) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They aren’t having food this morning.
Question
(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What are you doing?
The Present Continuous (for events)
One use of the present continuous tense is for scheduled future events. This is especially useful when talking about appointments and meetings.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
… tomorrow
… on Friday, Monday, etc.
… today
… this morning/afternoon/evening
… next week/month
… in December, March, etc.
Positive
Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
I’m meeting Tom at seven o’clock this evening.
Negative
Subject + be + not (isn’t, aren’t) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
Shelley isn’t attending the study group on Friday.
Question
(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
When are you discussing the essay with Tom?
Present Question and Answer Example >>
Question >> What do you like about your town/city?
I really enjoy the culture here, the architecture and the atmosphere. The historical town was built by the Venetians, which makes the architecture of the streets similar to many places in Italy. There are also many great restaurants to visit, from places in the centre of the town to others next to the sea. My favourite restaurant is a busy place on the corner of a narrow street that serves traditional Greek food and it is always busy. A new place has opened up next to the sea and I want to go and eat there next week.
The answer tells the examiner about the present and mentions future plans – A new place has opened up next to the sea and I want to go and eat there next week. The answer uses the present simple and the present continuous.
The Future Simple
The future simple refers to a time later than now and expresses facts or certainty. In the IELTS Speaking Test, it is likely that if you are asked a question about the future it will be a prediction. For example, asking you about your plans after your studies, where you will go on your next holiday and other possible situations.
The future with ‘will’ is used for a number of situations:
Used for Predictions
It will rain this week.
It will be really hot tomorrow.
Used for Plans
The future with ‘going to’ is used to express planned events or intentions.
These events or intentions are decided on before the moment of speaking.
Jamie is going to study Nursing.
Where are they going to stay when they visit?
Future Question and Answer Example >>
Question >> What do you think you will be doing in five years time?
In five years I would like to have a senior position in the hospital I work in. I am enjoying working there and I’m trying my best to progress further. I will continue to work in my chosen area of paediatrics, as I really enjoy working with children and helping them to get better. I want to be able to have a more senior role in the future so that I can have more of a say in decision-making and take on more responsibility.
Can you see the tenses used?
The present continuous >I am enjoying working there and I’m trying my best to progress further.
The present simple > I want to be able to have a more senior role in the future so that I can have more of a say in decision-making and take on more responsibility. (This describes her long-term plans)
The future simple >I will continue to work in my chosen area of paediatrics, as I really enjoy working with children and helping them to get better.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
Expert tips and strategies for this part of the IELTS Speaking test. Includes sample responses and key vocabulary for Band 7+.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will be looking in-depth at English pronunciation.
While you are preparing for your IELTS Speaking Test it is important that you understand the marking criteria. Pronunciation counts for 25% of your speaking score, therefore it is vital that you understand what the examiner wants. Getting individual sounds correct is really important in order to gain a band score of 5 or higher. You will be able to achieve a higher score if you can demonstrate your ability to form individual sounds correctly; word stress, sentence stress, intonation (pitch), pausing and chunking, elision (dropping individual sounds), assimilation (changing individual sounds when you speak quickly) and linking (moving sounds from the end of one word to the beginning of the next).
In the IELTS Speaking Test, any form of pronunciation from British, American, Canadian, Australian etc is accepted.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation is the act or manner of speaking a word. Many words in English are not pronounced the way they are spelt, and some sounds can be represented by more than one combination of letters.
One of the most important aspects of the IELTS Speaking Test is pronunciation. Without clear pronunciation, it is difficult to make yourself understood. Native speakers emphasise the most important words in a sentence by pronouncing them slowly and loudly. Have you ever noticed this?
Word Stress
When you are speaking English the words you stress can change the underlying meaning of a sentence.
For example: look at the following sentence: I don’t think that is a good idea.
This simple sentence can have many levels of meaning based on the word you stress. Consider the meaning of the following sentences with the stressed word in bold. Read each sentence aloud and give a strong stress to the word in bold:
I don’t think that is a good idea. Meaning – other people might think it is a good idea.
I don’t think that is a good idea. Meaning – it’s not true that I think it is a good idea.
I don’t think that is a good idea. Meaning – I’m not sure if it is a good idea.
“There is a great deal of evidence that native speakers rely very much on the stress pattern of words when they are listening. In fact, experiments have demonstrated that often when a native speaker mishears a word, it is because the foreigner has put the stress in the wrong place, not because he or she mispronounced the sound of the word.”— Joanne Kenworthy, Teaching English Pronunciation. Longman, 1987
Punctuation
Use punctuation to help your pronunciation by adding a pause after each period, comma, semicolon or colon. By using punctuation to guide you when you pause, you will begin to speak in a more natural manner.
For example: I’m going to visit my friends in London. They have a beautiful house in Chelsea, so I’m staying with them for one week.
In this example, pause after ‘London’ and ‘Chelsea’. This will help anyone who’s listening to you follow you more easily. On the other hand, if you rush through the sentences, where the periods and commas (and other punctuation marks) would be, your pronunciation will sound unnatural and it will be difficult for listeners to follow your thoughts.
Intonation
Intonation is the act of raising and the lowering of the voice when speaking. In other words, intonation refers to the voice rising and falling. We use the pitch of our voice to change the meaning of what we are saying.
For example: Look at the questions below and then say them out loud, raising your voice on the last words, this allows the listener to know you are asking them a question:
Raising Your Voice at the End of a Question If the question is a yes / no question, the voice rises at the end of a question. Do you like living in Greece? Have you lived here for a long time? Did you visit any of the Ionian Islands last month?
Falling Voice at the End of a Question If the question is an information question – in other words, if you are asking a question with ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘what’, ‘which’, ‘why’, ‘what / which kind of..’, and questions with ‘how’ – let your voice fall at then end of a question.
Where are you going to stay on holiday this year?
When did you leave your town?
How long have you lived in the UK?
When using a question to clarify some information, let your voice rise to let the listener know that you expect more information.
Jane isn’t going to be at the restaurant, is she?
You understand your position here, don’t you?
We aren’t expected to finish the assignment by Tuesday, are we?
We also use a specific type of intonation when using commas in a list.
For example: John enjoys playing volleyball, swimming, kayaking, and quad biking. In this example, the voice rises after each item on the list. For the final item, let the voice fall. In other words, ‘volleyball’, ‘swimming’, and ‘kayaking’ all rise in intonation. The final activity, ‘quad biking’, falls in intonation.
Practice with a few more examples;
We bought some gluten-free pasta, bananas, orange juice and potatoes.
Maria wants to go to New York, Barcelona, Rome, and Athens.
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will be looking in-depth at the grammatical range and accuracy.
While you are preparing for your IELTS Speaking Test it is important that you understand the marking criteria. Grammatical range and accuracy count for 25% of your speaking score, therefore it is vital that you understand what the examiner wants.
You will be able to achieve a higher score if you can demonstrate your ability to use a variety of sentence structures, a variety of tenses and advanced verb forms including conditionals, modal verbs and the passive voice.
Complex Sentences
Complex sentences have more than one clause, they contain an independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause.
Therefore, a complex sentence is made up of the main clause with one or more dependent clauses joined to it with an appropriate conjunction or pronoun.
The complex sentence is conventionally regarded as one of the four basic sentence structures in English. The other structures are the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the compound-complex sentence.
Complex Sentences examples;
Although Lana had a busy day at work, she decided to go to the beach with her friends.
The woman who lives at the end of my street is good friends with my grandmother.
I wish that I could go on holiday this month with my friends to relax and have fun.
Complex sentences have more than one clause >>
Although Lana had a busy day at work, she decided to go to the beach with her friends.
The woman who lives at the end of my street is good friends with my grandmother.
I wish that I could go on holiday this month because I want to relax and have fun.
Sentences with multiple clauses use connecting words such as -> that, which, who, where, when, how, although, because, before, after, etc.
Can you answer these questions using complex sentences?
Where do you live?
I live in a house that is built on top of a larger house in a quiet area, which has great views of the city.
What is your favourite movie?
The movie that I can watch again and again is dirty dancing because it has a great love story with an amazing soundtrack.
Where do you like to go on holiday?
Although I like to travel to the city for some culture, I love to have a relaxing beach holiday, with hot weather and a laid back atmosphere.
What was the last book your read?
I read an interesting book that detailed the life stories of young women who worked in a factory in 1920’s called ‘The Radium Girls‘.
Simple And Complex Sentences
Native speakers use both simple and complex sentences when speaking. In the IELTS Speaking Test, it is important to use a variety of sentence structures.
A simple sentence is a sentence with only one independent clause (also known as a main clause). Also known as a clausal sentence.
For example;
My favourite book is Harry Potter.
I like to eat sorbet.
I buy gluten free pasta.
I enjoy swimming in the sea.
Look at the example below, can you see which sentences are complex and which ones are simple?
Question
Where is your favourite place to visit in your country?
I really enjoy walking my dog in a large park called Mon Repos because it is a great place to explore and some paths lead to a secluded beach. My dog enjoys it very much. We often take him there late afternoon, which is perfect for him as the temperature is a lot cooler and the other dog walkers are there, so he can play with his furry friends. Mon Repos is steeped in history, although it is open to the public now, it was where some of the Greek Royal family once lived.
The simple sentences are highlighted below >>
All of the other sentences are complex – > can you see the connecting words?
I really enjoy walking my dog in a large park called Mon Repos because it is a great place to explore and some paths lead to a secluded beach. My dog enjoys it very much. We often take him there late afternoon, which is perfect for him as the temperature is a lot cooler. When we visit the park the other dog walkers are often there, so he can play with his furry friends. Mon Repos is steeped in history. Although it is open to the public now, it was where some of the Greek Royal family once lived.
The example gives an answer to the question, but also provides extra information, which is a great way to be able to demonstrate vocabulary and grammar to the examiner.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
Essential vocabulary and phrases for IELTS success. Includes contextual usage, collocations, and practice exercises.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will be looking in-depth at lexical resources for IELTS Exams, Marking Criteria, Synonym, Antonym, Paraphrasing and Collocations. Also, check the list of Lexical resources for the IELTS Test.
What is a Lexical resource?
The lexical resource is the criteria that measure the capability of language knowledge of the candidate based on the use of the various aspects of contextual vocabulary in particular.
In IELTS lexical resources are measured in the Speaking and Writing section where the idea is to be presented by the candidate as a task.
Marking Criteria:
While you are preparing for your IELTS Speaking Test it is important that you understand the marking criteria.
Lexical resources count for around 20-25% of your speaking test score, therefore it is vital that you understand what the examiner wants.
You will be able to achieve a higher score if you can demonstrate your ability to paraphrase and use synonyms. Knowing how to say something in a different way.
Using varied vocabulary and common word combinations is important in order to get a band score 7 or above.
How can we improve lexical resources in IELTS?
To get better at Lexical resources in IELTS you need to focus on following elements of English Grammar:
Synonym
Antonym
Paraphrasing
Collocations
Synonyms
What is a synonym?
Synonym, in general, is a word or phrase that offers the same or similar meaning to the word or phrase provided. Example: synonym of amazing is incredible, awesome Use of synonyms is a good way to show your vocabulary knowledge, as long as they are appropriate choices.
To be successful in all areas of the IELTS test you need to be able to recognise and use synonyms appropriately.
One way to do this when you are practising is by looking up for synonyms of common words in a thesaurus. This can help you to find synonyms but also to learn to select the right synonym to fit into your sentence.
Use of synonym: Example;
Last year we visited Corfu in Greece and it was amazing.
Can you think of another word to use other than ‘amazing’?
How about incredible, marvellous, awesome, stunning or wonderful?
Last year we visited Corfu in Greece and it was incredible.
Antonyms
What is an Antonym?
Antonyms, in general, is a word or phrase that offers the opposite or different meaning to the word or phrase provided. Example: antonym of early is late. You can use antonyms, to show your vocabulary/lexical ability as long as they are appropriate choices.
For example:
My language lesson was really early today. My language lesson was really late today.
Other examples of antonyms:
Happy and sad
Young and old
Risky and safe
Rich and poor
Cool and hot
Excited and bored.
Paraphrasing
What is an Paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is an activity of presenting the sentence or phrase using alternate words(usually synonym and antonym) to attend better clarity.
It is a skill that is needed in all parts of the test. When the examiner asks you a question, you should not repeat the question back to them as part of your answer.
Instead, you should paraphrase it and this means restructuring.
For example, if the examiner asks you:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of young people using social media?
Your answer could include the words benefits and drawbacks, instead of repeating the words, advantages and disadvantages.
Question example:
Examiner: What kind of holiday do you like?
Answer 1
The holidays I like tend to be anywhere that is hot with a beach! I like to go and spend time with my friends.
Answer 2
When I travel, I really enjoy visiting places with a warmer climate, where I can relax on a beach. Last year I visited Corfu in Greece and I had the most wonderful time, exploring small unspoilt beaches by hiring a boat to tour the island.
Which one do you think is the better answer?
Answer 2 is better because it answers the question with more specific information. It also does not repeat words that are in the question.
Collocations
What is an Collocations?
A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English. Think of collocations as words that usually go together.
The more you use collocations, the more you will sound like a native speaker.
There are different kinds of collocations in English. Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to work together.
For example;
make the bed: I need to make the bed every morning.
do the homework: My niece does her homework after dinner.
take a risk: Some people don’t take enough risks in life.
give someone advice: The teacher gave us some advice on taking tests.
Common verb collocations are often followed by particular nouns or adjectives.
For example;
make a phone call: I have to go and make a phone call.
get wet: It rained today and I got wet.
keep a record: I keep a record of all of my bank statements.
break down: I was on the way to work this morning and my car broke down.
Collocations are often used as short expressions to describe how someone feels about a situation. In this case, collocations can be used in the adjective form, or also as emphatic expressions using an intensifier and a verb.
For example;
positively encourage someone to do something: I’d like to positively encourage you to apply for the position.
deeply regret the loss of someone/something: I deeply regret saying no to that job offer.
to be in an utter fury over something: I am in an utter fury over missing out on getting those gig tickets.
to go to great lengths to do something: She went to great lengths to be able to move to another country.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
Expert tips and strategies for this part of the IELTS Speaking test. Includes sample responses and key vocabulary for Band 7+.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
The IELTS Speaking Test lasts 11-14 minutes.
The test has three parts, where you are interviewed by a trained examiner. You are not allowed to use a dictionary during the test. IELTS Academic and IELTS General students take the same test and it is marked in the same way.
The three parts of the test are as follows;
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Duration: 4-5 minutes
You will be asked questions on familiar topics, like your hobbies, family, where you are from, what your hometown/city is like, etc.
The topics might include;
Your studies/education
Hobbies/sports
Your family
What kind of movies, books, tv shows or music you like
What you like to eat / where you like to eat
Your job
Where you live
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Duration:3-4 minutes
First, the examiner will give you one minute to think about the question and make notes. Next, you will speak for 1-2 minutes uninterrupted. Then the examiner will ask you a further two or three questions about what you have said.
For example: you might be asked a question like this on your cue card >>
“Describe an interesting place you have visited”
You should say;
When you visited?
What you did when you were there?
What activities you could do there?
Would you recommend it to others?
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Duration:4-5 minutes
The examiner will ask you further questions related to the question topic from part 2. This will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas.
The cue card used as an example above was asking you about a place you had visited. Further questions might include;
Why do you think the tourist industry is growing?
How do people choose a destination for their holiday?
Some people like to take a package holiday, while others prefer to explore and organise the trip themselves, why is this?
IELTS Speaking Criteria
The IELTS Speaking Test is designed for you to be able to talk about, describe and explain your own experiences and opinions.
You will be assessed on the following criteria;
Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
It is important that you take the time to read the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors and familiarise yourself with what is expected for the higher scoring bands. Like other parts of the test, you will be given a band score from 0-9. With the academic students aiming for a band score of 7, the criteria is as follows;
Non-native speakers who can express themselves on most subjects but frequently pause to think of words or ideas, mostly get a band score 5 or 6. Native speakers would be expected to get an 8.5 or 9.
The examiner is looking for your ability to speak English well, expressing your own opinions and feelings. Your score will be lower than a 7 if you make frequent mistakes or the examiner has trouble understanding you and what you are trying to say.
Requirements from universities and immigration agencies vary. Most students will need at least a band score 6 for undergraduate study. For postgraduate study or immigration, a band score 7 is generally required.
