SKILL FOCUS | Speaking: Expanding on short answers

In one of my IG posts, I was advising IELTS candidates to avoid Yes/No answers.

This post focuses on one recurrent problem which candidates face during their Speaking test: expanding short answers.

It’s natural when answering questions in an interview to give a short answer and then expand on it i.e. offer more details.

Expanding = giving details on/further explanation of a short answer

Example:

Examiner: What do you do in the evenings?

Candidate: It depends (short answer). During the week, I just go home and relax … I watch TV or read, but at weekends I’m never in … I go to clubs or to friends’ houses. (expansion)

Activity 1

Match each question with an appropriate short answer, and then expand your answer (1-2 sentences is enough). I recommend you record youself while answering these questions, then play the recording back and listen for words you may be repeating, intonation, or times when your speech is slow.

1 What types of music do you listen to? 2 Are you planning to continue with your studies? 3 Do you do anything to keep fit? 4 Would you like to travel abroad? 5 Do you go to the cinema much? 6 Who does the cooking in your home? 7 Do any members of your family live abroad? 8 Have you travelled abroad before?

A Nothing special. B Actually, it’s me. C Whenever I can. D All sorts really. E Only once. F Quite a few actually. G I think so. H It depends.

Activity 2

This activity focuses on using adjectives to describe a person’s character and personality. Have you ever read one of those CVs in which the applicant simply lists an array of qualities and skills but are not backed by any relevant experience?

And then you wonder: I’ve sent tens of letter of application, but no reply? Well, my grandma can copy paste personal and interpersonal skills of the Internet and paste then in her CV. So, what? What do you bring to the table?

1. Use a dictionary to find the meanings of the adjectives describing character and personality below.

 

ambitious — good fun — nosy — reliable — blunt — hard-working — open-minded self-assured — clever — impatient — outgoing — sociable — creative — judgemental over-sensitive — stingy

    2. Which adjectives in Exercise 1 are negative and which are positive? Draw a table like the one below and put the words into the correct column.

Positive	Negative

   3. Which adjectives from Exercise 1 would you use to describe yourself?

I consider myself to be …

I would say I was …

 

    4. Match phrases 1-8 with definitions a-h.

1 get on with somebody 2 look up to somebody 3 be in touch with somebody 4 fall out with somebody 5 grow apart from somebody 6 take after somebody 7 grow up together/with somebody 8 be close to somebody

a argue and stop being friendly with somebody b have a good relationship c gradually have a less close relationship with somebody d be in communication with somebody e know somebody well and see or talk to them often f have many childhood and adolescent experiences in common with somebody g respect somebody h resemble somebody in your fam ily [in appearance or personality

  5. Using phrases from Exercise 4, make eight sentences describing relationships you have.

Example: I take after my dad – we’re both quite careless.

   6. Write descriptions of four members of your family. Use some of the adjectives from Exercise 1. Remember to modify the adjectives and explain or expand on each characteristic. Include at least one negative point for each person.

 

BONUS

Listen to three people talk about their relatives. Make notes as you listen. How do they describe their relatives and their relationships with them? Listen again and make more notes. Look up any language you do not know in your dictionary and make a note of it. 

1 The person I’m closest to in my family is definitely my mum, Kate. We’ve always got on and we hardly ever fall out. I know that’s unusual! She’s really outgoing and sociable – she’s always going out with friends and colleagues. Everyone thinks she’s good fun. I look up to her because she’s so hard working – she never sits still and she works long hours. She can be a bit impatient, though – she gets annoyed when her colleagues aren’t as efficient as her. I take after her in that – I’m impatient, too. And she’s over-sensitive, often getting offended for seemingly no reason.

2 My cousin Kieran and I grew up together. We were inseparable. He was so creative – he’d always think of new games we could play and make up these stories to make me laugh. I was constantly amazed by his open-mindedness as well – he was never judgemental. I wish I could be like that. Unfortunately, we grew apart, slowly but surely, and by the time we went to uni we weren’t in touch any more. I haven’t seen him for years. It’s really sad. I would blame it partly on the fact that he’s not very reliable, so for example, if I email him he won’t respond. I’m not sure what he’s up to these days.

3 I know this is a cliche, but I don’t get on with my in-laws, especially my mother-in-law, Jane. She’s so nosy, always wanting to know what we’re doing and who we’re with, and she ‘s terribly blunt, which means she quite often upsets us with things she comes out with. And then she can be quite stingy. When we go out for a meal with her and my father-in-law, she never offers to pay, even though they’re much better off than us. I must say, though, she’s extremely clever and I do respect her for that. She set up her own business five years ago and it’s gone from strength to strength . She’s so self-assured and ambitious too, which I suppose is why she’s so successful in business.

I do hope you find this post both helpful and interesing. You can show your love and appreciation by sharing the post or sharing your opinion in the comments section.

Till next time,

Your IELTS bestie, 

Florina