Navigating the IELTS Speaking Test: What to Do When You Don’t Know the Topic

Preparing for the IELTS speaking test can be a challenging task, especially when you are faced with topics you don't know much about or can't remember. However, handling such situations with the right strategies can enhance your performance and impress the examiners. In this article, we explore how to tackle such scenarios and ensure you get the best possible score.

Strategies for Unknown Topics

While it's crucial to be honest if you don’t know a lot about the topic, it’s equally important to follow up with relevant insights to keep the conversation flowing. Here are some tips on how to approach such situations:

Be Honest

Starting with an acknowledgment that you lack knowledge about the topic is a good strategy. For instance:

Question: What did you used to eat for lunch at primary school?

Response: At primary school, well, I can’t remember clearly to be honest as that was quite a long time ago. I assume my parents would have provided something healthy for me because they have always gone on about how bad junk food is. My guess is that it would have been something homemade - I can’t imagine them letting me have food from the canteen.

Speculate Based on Your Knowledge

After being honest, adding a speculative element can help you stay on track and demonstrate your language skills. For example:

Question: What did you used to eat for lunch at primary school?

My guess is that it would have been something homemade - I can’t imagine them letting me have food from the canteen. I assume my parents would have wanted to ensure I had healthy, balanced meals. Perhaps it was a homemade sandwich or a hearty soup, which would have packed plenty of nutrients.

Approaching Very Young Candidates

Occasionally, young candidates might encounter topics they know very little about. In such cases, using imagination and a bit of knowledge they have can be helpful. Here's an example:

Question: What were some of the major challenges that influenced the development of global business today?

Response: Well, I have to be honest, but I’m not very familiar with the specific challenges that influenced the development of global business today. However, I can imagine that the biggest challenges might include things like economic crises, political unrest, and technological advancements. These are all factors that can significantly impact how businesses operate across different countries and cultures.

How to Handle Absence of Background Knowledge

Another crucial point to consider is the common topics in part 2 of the IELTS speaking test. Familiarizing yourself with these can significantly enhance your performance. However, if you still encounter a topic you know nothing about during the exam, here's how to handle it:

Self-Reflect on the Question

Start by discussing why you don't know a lot about the topic. This can help you frame your response and demonstrate your language skills:

To be honest, I haven't read anything recently as reading is not my cup of tea. I mean, I have other interests but when it comes to reading, I tried my best to adopt the habit of reading a book on a monthly basis but I failed. Imagine that the last time I read books was during my studies in college. Of course, I cannot remember them in detail, but I'm positive that they weren't interesting. You know, I sometimes walk by bookstores and think of buying a book to start reading, yet I end up leaving empty-handed as I'd rather watch movies than reading.

Use Achievable Strategies

In addition to being honest, using achievable strategies can also keep you on track. For example, discussing your personal feelings and reasons for not engaging with the topic can provide a natural segue into more engaging topics:

Another reason I don’t engage much with reading these days is that I have a lot of other commitments. I work long hours and have a lot of hobbies that take up my time. Perhaps the last book I read was from your local library during my thesis research. I remember it was a novel about a scientist who had to solve a complex problem. It was a bit dry, but it was interesting from a scientific perspective.

Conclusion

Preparing for the IELTS speaking test involves not only knowing the common topics but also having a range of strategies to handle unexpected situations. Being honest and providing relevant insights while showcasing your language skills can significantly enhance your performance. By following these tips, you can navigate the challenges of the IELTS speaking test more effectively.