Ideas for IELTS | How to Develop Ideas in Speaking

Many test-takers struggle to fully develop ideas for IELTS speaking topics during the test.

Here are some quick tips on how to improve and develop ideas when responding to IELTS speaking questions.

Quick Tips to Develop Ideas in IELTS Speaking

Developing ideas for IELTS Speaking - use the speak and build technique—starting with a simple, direct answer and expanding using the two whys method (explain why and give examples).

Boost fluency by brainstorming, focusing on personal experiences (memories, habits, likes), and preparing vocabulary on common topics like home, work, and technology.

Key Strategies to Generate and Develop Ideas

  • Speak and Build Technique: Listen to the question, pick the simplest idea that comes to mind, and immediately start speaking. Build upon that initial thought as you talk.
  • The Two Whys Method: After stating your opinion, ask yourself why twice to develop deeper explanations and better-supported answers.
  • Personalize Your Answers: Connect topics to your own life, such as childhood memories, personal habits, or future goals. This makes it easier to speak naturally and with passion.
  • Structure Your Response:
    • Topic Statement: Start with a clear sentence that addresses the question directly.
    • Expansion: Explain the reason or context.
    • Example / Details: Provide a concrete, real-life example to support your point.
  • Brainstorming Techniques:
    • WH- Questions: Use who, what, when, where, why, and how to spark details.
    • Pros and Cons: Analyze the topic by comparing benefits and drawbacks.
    • Then vs. Now: Contrast how a topic was in the past compared to the present.

Preparation Tips to Improve Idea Generation

  • Broaden General Knowledge: Read news articles and watch documentaries on topics like technology, environment, and education.
  • Prepare Key Topics: Practice brainstorming ideas for common topics (e.g., hometown, studies, pets, hobbies, art)
  • Think in Your Own Language: If stuck, quickly think of a simple idea in your native language, then translate and expand on it in English.
  • Use ProCon.org: This can help you find pros and cons for many IELTS-related topics to gather ideas.

Part-Specific Advice

  • Part 2 (Cue Card): Use the 1-minute preparation time to write keywords, not full sentences.
  • Part 3 (Discussion): Focus on providing abstract ideas rather than personal stories, looking at the topic from a wider societal perspective.
EXAMINER TIP - Ask questions: you are given a topic – first, ask yourself some simple questions about the topic to help stimulate your mind and generate some ideas.

Here's an example:

IELTS Speaking Topic: Transport Problems

Simple Questions to ask yourself:

  • How? - How big is the problem? Is it serious / severe / disastrous / a crisis?
  • Who? - Who causes the problem? Who suffers because of the problem? Who could solve the problem?
  • What? - What causes the problem? What is the problem exactly? What is the result? What is the solution? What are possible solutions?
  • When? - Is the problem all the time? When does it happen? When is it worse?
  • Where? - Where is the problem? Is it local / national / global?



Simply by thinking about the problem like this, you can begin to develop a clearer idea, or more ideas related to the topic.

Here’s an example from Part 3 of an IELTS speaking test:

Examiner

Let’s talk about transport in your city. Are there any transport problems?

Candidate

Yes, there are several areas that suffer from congested traffic and sometimes the traffic simply comes to a standstill. It’s serious because whole sections of the city grind to a halt at rush hour.

The main cause of these traffic jams is the fact that many of the old roads are just not wide enough to accommodate the quantity of traffic that is on the roads these days. Many drivers are stuck in traffic for a long time and this gives rise to road rage sometimes when tempers flare because of slow or stationary traffic.

It would be so much better if the local authorities would invest in widening the main roads into and out of the city and also banning commercial or heavy goods vehicles in the downtown area during rush hour because this would alleviate the traffic jams and help traffic flow uninterrupted through the city.

TIP - Underlined words and phrases are topic-specific or related vocabulary normally used by native speakers, which helps boost your IELTS speaking score.

How to Generate Ideas for Speaking

To quickly and easily develop ideas for answering topic questions in the IELTS Speaking Test, follow these tips:

  • Stay Calm - Take a deep breath and relax to think clearly and respond quickly.
  • Understand the Question - Listen carefully and make sure you understand the question. Ask for clarification if needed.
  • Think of Keywords - Quickly note or think of keywords related to the topic. Consider who, what, where, when, why, and how to cover different aspects.
  • Use Personal Experiences - Relate the topic to your own experiences. Personal stories make your answers more interesting.
  • Practice Mind Mapping - Create a quick mental map. Imagine the main topic and branch out to related points.
  • Use the PPF Strategy Think about the past, present, and future related to the topic. Doing so creates a structured and complete answer.
  • Leverage Common Themes - For unfamiliar topics, use everyday human experiences or universal themes like happiness, challenges, learning, or growth.
  • Be Positive and Confident - Confidence improves your delivery. Believe in your ability to generate ideas and it will show in your speaking.

Try using these strategies to help give easy-to-understand and complete answers, improving your performance in the Speaking Test.


How to Elaborate Ideas in Speaking

How can you effectively elaborate on your ideas during speaking tests or everyday conversations? Here are some practical tips:

Expand Your Core Idea

Start with your main point and then expand on it. For instance, if you're discussing a personal hobby, begin by explaining why you enjoy it, then add details about how you got started, and share some memorable experiences related to it.

Provide Examples

Examples are powerful tools that help clarify your point. When you mention something, try to back it up with a relevant example or personal anecdote to make your answer more vivid and relatable.

Describe and Define

Sometimes, listeners may not be familiar with the topic you're discussing. Take a moment to describe and define key terms or concepts. Adding such details enhances understanding and adds depth to your response.

Discuss Causes and Effects

Explore the causes and effects related to your main idea. For instance, if you're talking about climate change, discuss what causes it and its potential impacts, both locally and globally.

Compare and Contrast

Make comparisons to other similar ideas, things, or events. This contrast can help highlight unique aspects of your main idea and provide further insight.

Share Opinions

Don't hesitate to share your personal opinions and feelings about the topic. This personalizes your response and shows your ability to think critically and express viewpoints.

Add Supporting Details

Include facts, statistics, or data that support your point. This will add credibility to your statements and show that you have a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

Use Transition Words

Try using transition words and phrases like:

  • Plus
  • Also
  • And
  • As well
  • On top of that
  • What's more
  • Along with that
  • For example
  • For instance
  • Like
  • Such as
  • To give you an idea
  • Say
  • To illustrate
  • Take
  • Think about
  • One example
  • As an example
  • And
  • Plus
  • Also
  • Besides
  • Too
  • As well as
  • Along with
  • Together with
  • But
  • However
  • Still
  • Yet
  • Even so
  • Despite that

Using transition words will seamlessly link ideas and keep your speech fluid.

Practice Storytelling

Storytelling isn't just for fun; it's a good way to explain an idea. Create a short story that connects to your main point to make your thoughts more interesting.

Using these methods will help you speak more smoothly and express your ideas better, whether in a Speaking Test or daily conversations. Keep practicing, and you'll notice big improvements in elaborating on any idea!


How would you answer this IELTS question about transport problems?

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