Don't memorise answers
Notes
To some extent you can predict the kind of topics that you might be asked to talk about in the IELTS interview. This means that it is quite common for interviewees to prepare answers in advance and learn them by heart. Then, in the interview if the topic comes up they will regurgitate (verb; repeat after memorisation) their answer – whether it answers the question or not. There are several problems with this approach.
Firstly, it is usually very clear that an answer has been memorised as it sounds very unnatural to the examiner. Examiners have a lot of experience interviewing people and they can easily see when something isn’t quite right. If they suspect that the answer has been memorised they will probably interrupt your answer and move on to another question.
Secondly, if you have memorised an answer it is very unlikely that it will actually answer the question directly and this will be another signal to the examiner that something isn’t quite right.
In summary, you should avoid trying to memorise answers, but you can still prepare for the interview by thinking about possible topics and making sure you have the vocabulary and language to talk about the topics in general.
Transcript
Candidate: Yes! Woo! Thanks, Internet. Porto, the country’s second largest city, is in itself full of interest, but the district it heads, though largely industrialized, offers the visitor plenty to see. Along the coast, holiday resorts like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho... splendid seafood or traditional fishing towns... quaint charm of Amarante, with 17th century mansions... famous for a kind of sweet egg pastries called Bellies of Angels.
Examiner: Thank you. What is the most interesting building in your hometown?
Candidate: The church? The old church. It’s big and some kings have been there and are there engraves…
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Comments
Hi!
This guy is Portuguese right?!
:)
Very good!
Though I am very fond of doing something substantially to improve my both written and oral language, I can't seek help from a trained hand because of my busy work. Can I improve my language using the space that English learning team provides here?. I want to know whether the language experts help me to avoid grammatical errors from my writing.
Hoping a reply
team
Hello,
Yes, you can improve your English here, including your grammar! However, we don't offer individual help to all our users, as we have many thousands of learners here and there simply isn't time.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Despite i haven't undergone any training programme for ielts exam, from several friends of mine have undergone such training in kerala i have understood the fact that what most of the institutes do is nothing but to insist the applicants for the exam to learn by heart answers that they provide..
bro, do you have an idea about best institute running ielts traing in calicut ?
hello every one
i liked to see all videos especially in IELTS interview section which guide me to prepare my language in better way but unfortunately I feel scary if i sit in front of examiner. And those things which have described in films are really help me that how to prevent my self from just remembering answer before asking any kind of Q by the teacher or people or examiner. So i think every thing needs practice to prepare well. so finally i have decided this website can help me to improve my language in right way. As i know there are many sites on internet they are also tell the methods to improve yourself in English language but some time they cant keep satisfy their user as you can get the help on this site
so i am really thanks to all of you that who put their effort to brings us english language like a piece of cake in plate . now its depend upon us weather we eat it or waste
team
Hello,
Thanks for your very kind words about the LearnEnglish website!
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi can any one help me in writing section?
team
Hello Muhammad!
Welcome to LearnEnglish!
We are hoping to add more writing actitivities in the future, but remember that the important part of learning any language is to keep working on it. Practising writing is difficult without a teacher, but you can always try to write sentences or practice answers to IELTS questions. Also, you can write to other learners on LearnEnglish - this will let you practice sharing your ideas. Find a subject on the website you are interested in, and join in the discussion! For general advice about preparing for the writing exam, take a look at the British Council IELTS site.
Also, remember that one of the best ways of improving your writing is to read as much as you can! This will help your grammar and vocabulary without you noticing. Make sure you try some of our non-IELTS material, too, like our magazine section - it will all help!
Best wishes
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team