IELTS Tip #8

​How to extend your talk in Stage 2 when you are asked to talk about an event

One of the most common categories of topics used in stage 2 involves the task of talking about an event in your life (eg "Talk about a time you made a purchase and was disappointed"). These can be challenging because you have to quickly remember an event but also make sure you leave room to explain the impact this event had on you. An important principle is that you are not working to extend details but extend your language because details take a lot of energy to produce in language.

Here are a few pointers:

​1.Provide a long opening. Give plenty of background before giving action ( actions take more energy and linking words so they are more difficult)
Eg
Well I have had a lot of happy days and it is hard to remember them in great detail but I guess the happiest day of my life was the day that I won top prize in a basketball game at school. At that time I was a student and was preparing for my exams.

2. Just give 3 events – a beginning middle and end but do not overdo the events. Take notes on your structure.

3.Use transitional; statements
Eg So the reason that I think this event was so important to me was......

4.End with a summary that is more than just “so that was my happiest day. Try to add on a bit more. A good extension here is talking about the future
Eg
So that was my happiest day. I hope one day I can meet up with my classmates again because it was really an incredible time together

5. Pace yourself with pauses. People tend to talk too fast in this stage. Speak quickly but give plenty of pauses. Don't be afraid to look down at your notes


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