Lesson 8 · Lesson guide
Speaking Part 1: Band 6.5 Answers
Hello, my dear student!
Hello! In Part 1 the examiner asks about you: your studies, your home, your free time. The questions are easy, which is exactly why many candidates give easy answers. “Yes, I like it. It is good.” That is a band 5 answer, even with perfect grammar.
What changes at band 6.5? Look at the descriptors. Fluency: you speak at length without long pauses. Vocabulary: you use some less common words and phrases, such as “I’m really into…” or “every now and then”. Grammar: you mix simple and complex structures, for example “I used to…”, “If I had more time, I’d…”, “which is why…”. Accuracy: many of your sentences are error-free.
Today you will compare answers side by side, upgrade weak ones, and practise Part 1 topics the way an examiner hears them.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
Your browser has no English voice, so the listen buttons are hidden. Everything is written on the page.
What examiners listen for
Four criteria, each 25% of your Speaking score.
Fluency and Coherence
Keep going, link your ideas
Extend the answer naturally with because, so, although, which is why. Short pauses are fine; long silences are not.
- I study engineering, mainly because I’ve always loved taking things apart.
Lexical Resource
Precise and less common words
Replace good, nice, like with words that say exactly what you mean: rewarding, relaxing, I’m keen on.
- It’s a really rewarding course.
- I go hiking every now and then.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Mix simple and complex
Use a range: present perfect, used to, conditionals, relative clauses, comparatives. But accuracy matters as much as range.
- I used to hate maths, but I’ve grown to enjoy it.
- If I had more free time, I’d learn the guitar.
Pronunciation
Clear, with natural stress
Stress the important words and do not speak too fast. Clarity is more important than accent.
- I’m REALLY into PHOTOGRAPHY at the moment.
Remember!
A band 6.5 Part 1 answer: answer + reason or detail + one less common word + one complex structure, in 2–4 sentences.
Band 5 and band 6.5, side by side
- Examiner
Do you enjoy reading?
- Band 5
Yes, I enjoy. I read books. Books are good for me.
- Band 6.5
Yes, I’m quite a keen reader, actually. I mostly read crime novels, because I like trying to work out who did it before the end. I don’t read as much as I used to, though.
The second answer has a reason, precise words (keen reader, crime novels, work out), a comparison and “used to”, and no errors.
Natural phrases
Tap to hear them. Use them naturally; examiners notice memorised speeches.
Well, to be honest, …
a natural start
I’m really into …
= I like … a lot
every now and then
(baʼzan)
= sometimes
It depends on …
for questions with more than one answer
I used to …, but these days …
past and present together
…, which is why …
a relative clause that links ideas
Mistakes that keep students at 5.5
Not: Yes. (silence)Say: Yes, quite a lot, actually. I … because …
One-word answers show no fluency or vocabulary.
Not: In my opinion, there are many advantages and disadvantages of free time.Say: I usually spend my free time outdoors, especially at weekends.
Part 1 is personal. Do not answer as if writing an essay.
Not: I am living in Tashkent since five years.Say: I’ve been living in Tashkent for five years.
Present perfect + for. Accuracy errors pull the grammar score down.
Check yourself
Upgrade: “My job is good.”
Add a complex structure: “I like swimming.”
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher