Introduction Questions for IELTS 2023: Latest Sample Q&A

One of the most well-known English proficiency exams that is recognised by a variety of universities globally is IELTS. Universities give equal weight to all four of this test's sections—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—as it is one of the key qualifying criteria for admission. As a result, 25% is equally weighted across all four IELTS parts.

Nevertheless, a few students are uncertain about the IELTS speaking segment and the introduction questions. The speaking portion of this test is broken down into four sections and lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. We have detailed the different components of the IELTS speaking section to help make this complex process easier. The next part will give you more information on the IELTS speaking introduction, a few example questions, and some advice on how to do well on this section of the test.

What Happens in the IELTS Speaking Introduction?

Candidates must deposit their items in a room after arriving at the testing location before entering the waiting area. The examiner then announces the names of the candidates shortly after. Candidates should be aware that all three parts of the test—part 1, part 2, and part 3—are recorded. The examiner will normally offer 4 to 6 introductory questions on well-known subjects during part 1 of the speaking test. The examiner will likely introduce themselves and ask the applicant to prove their identity. The questions in this section, which cover themes like home, employment, family, studies, interests, etc., are quite straightforward. This test's first section should take 4 to 5 minutes to complete. It is normal for the examiner to ask the candidate for their name during the introduction section. The next step is to invite the applicants to present their passports and answer a few icebreaker questions about their backgrounds, jobs, and places of origin.

How to Introduce Yourself in IELTS Speaking?

Candidates frequently have the wrong idea about the importance of making a good "first impression." Many applicants appear to think that one's appearance is immediately apparent. I don't think this is right. The first impression refers to the lasting impression one makes on the test-taker from the very first moment of the exam, which is part 1. Simply put, the IELTS examiner will determine if an applicant is an introductory, intermediate, or skilled level English speaker based on how well they are able to respond to the introduction questions. Therefore, in part 1 of the speaking test, test-takers must refrain from providing foolish responses.

Candidates should keep the following in mind when presenting themselves:

• While remaining at ease, observe the interview's formalities. Avoid staring rigidly or uncomfortably at the examiner. Additionally, avoid providing a simple yes/no response to questions. Candidates must make every effort to fully explain their responses.

• Candidates must give more information than only their moniker when the examiner asks for their name. Instead, they should introduce themselves by first saying their initial name, then their last name. They can then request that the examiner call them by a specific name or nickname.

• Candidates must refrain from mentioning their family when responding to the examiner's "tell me something about yourself" inquiry. This is so because a person's family is something altogether distinct. One may think about things like a career, interests, marital status, life goals, etc.

• Examiners could inquire a little bit about a candidate's family as well. When responding to these inquiries, one should be succinct and force a concept over clearly. Candidates should be aware that the first speaking section emphasises explaining, presenting justifications, and citing sources. For instance, candidates must clarify, "I am a student pursuing higher education from.." and never just say "student," when asked, "what are you doing at the moment?"

• Typically, candidates are questioned about why they decided to take the IELTS test. They ought to make an effort to be reasonable in their response. Making an effort to sound particularly intelligent could come across poorly. For instance, if someone wants to apply to a university, they should make an effort to mention that in their response. Instead of hinting that they are taking the exam to see how well they speak English, candidates who are taking the speaking exam must state their motivation in front of the examiner.

• In addition, the examiner might ask some questions about things like sports, dining, and travel. A candidate's lifestyle will be revealed by how they respond to these questions. Remember not to describe these solutions. They should instead inform them of anything they know.

• Give as many responses as you can. A negative response could result in a lower grade since the examiner might label the candidate as a prepared speaker.

Simply said, candidates taking the IELTS introductory section need to be prepared for the quick and straightforward questions. The goal should be to provide the maximum detail possible while avoiding any unfavourable responses.

Sample Introduction Questions for IELTS with Answers

Some of the common questions that candidates can encounter in part 1 of the IELTS speaking test are mentioned below. These questions also have the answer for better information for prospective candidates.

Can you tell me your name?

Sure, my name is Prashant Shekhar, and you can call me Prashant.

Where are you from?

I come from a city in Uttar Pradesh called Jaunpur. We lived in a close-knit community within the boundaries of a society. However, I have been living in Lucknow for the past three years to pursue my graduation from Lucknow University. I chose Lucknow because the curriculum here is good and it’s not too far away from home.

What do you do in your free time?

I like to paint. So, when I am free, I like to take out my brushes and paint something through my imagination. At other times, when I don’t feel like painting, I watch a movie or hang out with my friends. However, since I am in my last year of graduation, I am trying to limit visiting the outside world and focus more on my studies.

Do you have friends? (why or why not?)

I do not have many friends. In university, I have 3 friends, including my roommate. I tend to connect more with my roommate since we have been staying together for so much time now. Also, back home, I have many school friends. I am not in constant contact with them currently due to the distance. But, whenever I visit my hometown, I try to meet them and have some fun time together. With time and distance, my friend count has gone down. However, I have a few people on whom I can count.

Are you friendly with your neighbours?

I have to say that I am lucky to have such good and supportive neighbours. I am close to my neighbours and often celebrate all the festivals together. We have been staying close for a decade and have become close relatives now. We have an invisible bond and a mutual liking that ties us together like a family. I always respect their privacy and opinions and try to help them whenever they are in need.

Why IELTS?

Well, I have always wanted to pursue political science from the UK, given their top-notch education quality. But, to get admission into a top UK university, I need to get at least 6.5 bands in IELTS. So, I have been studying hard to secure my place.

Tips & Tricks for Your IELTS Speaking Introduction

Candidates may look at the following tips and tricks to answer the IELTS speaking introduction questions in a better way:

Do not memorize the answers

One of the foremost rules before taking the speaking test is to stop memorizing the answers. Many candidates tend to look at the sample questions and memorize their answers. Remember that memorized answers will pose a negative impact and can influence a bad score.

Ignore using unfamiliar words

Many times, candidates may want to impress the examiner with big and unfamiliar words. But, to be safe, one should avoid using such words that they are not familiar with. This is because there is a greater chance of mispronouncing the word or adding them in the wrong context. Having said that, increasing the vocabulary is a good idea. But, candidates should use a range of vocabulary that they are familiar with in a relatable context.

Use grammatical structures

Introduction questions for IELTS evaluate a candidate’s English proficiency against the following criteria:

1. Coherence and fluency

2. Grammatical accuracy and range

3. Lexical resource

4. Pronunciation

Hence, candidates must put into practice a range of grammatical structures with a mixture of simplex and simple sentences. One of the best ways of doing so is to understand your own mistakes and practice speaking in English in front of friends. Candidates can also record their speaking abilities and point out the mistakes if any.

Do not stress too much upon the accent

As a matter of fact, the examiner fairly understands a wide range of accents. Moreover, it is quite natural for non-native English speakers to have an accent. So, while giving an introduction for IELTS, if you can communicate clearly, there is nothing else to worry about.However, at the same time, one should practice unfamiliar words and use intonation and stress because English is a stress-timed language.

Pause, think, and then answer

When the examiner asks you to introduce yourself to IELTS, you must know that there is no harm in taking a small pause. Use the pause to think about the answer and then proceed. Certain candidates tend to rush to the answer, which, in turn, hampers their flow. To avoid awkwardness while taking a pause, candidates can use phrases like:

1. Oh, that is an interesting question…

2. That is a rather difficult question, but I will try my best to answer it

3. Let’s think about it

4. Please allow me to think about it for a minute

Limit the use of fillers

Candidates must remember to speak confidently and avoid the use of fillers. People generally put fillers where they are unaware of what to say. So, it is crucial that test-takers avoid words like:

1. You know

2. Umm..

3. Well

4. Yeah, etc.

Try to make the answers long

Try to answer the questions in full and provide as much explanation as possible. At the same time, do not make the answers too long and boring. When the answers are short, the examiner will believe that the candidate is unaware of the topic.

What Not to do During IELTS Speaking Introduction?

Here are a few pointers describing what a candidate should avoid while answering the introduction questions for IELTS:

• When the examiner asks for the name, candidates must only state their name. They must not try to explain the meaning of their name because this was not the question. You should indeed expand your answers, but at the same time, you must not divert from the topic.

• Candidates must strictly refrain from using an overly informal tone. The IELTS exam is formal and also one of the most prestigious ones. Hence, the way you speak is a major determining factor for your overall score.

• Do not always use the words that you find different or interesting. For instance, refrain from using “I currently reside in…”. The word ‘reside’ is good but is not a formal word that one should be using in an examination.

What Happens After the IELTS Speaking Introduction?

After the candidate is done with the introduction questions for IELTS, the examiner proceeds with asking three short questions based upon three topics. Here, the examiner has to choose a batch of three questions from a list of 40 varying topics provided in the exam booklet. Here are a few questions that candidates are likely to get after the introductory part of the test:

Talk about where you live

State:

• What do you like the most about your town/city?

• Do tourists visit your city/town often?

• State the recent changes in your hometown.

Talk about hobbies

State:

• What do you do in your free time

• How have your hobbies emerged

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Talk about fashion

State:

• Does fashion interest you?

• Where do you shop your clothes from?

• Any latest fashion trends you follow

Candidates must remember to expand their questions for this part. Otherwise, the examiner may drop the ‘why’ question until they give them some solid explanation.

Conclusion

Indeed, first impressions are important. Although the examiner is a qualified professional who assesses people's linguistic abilities, they are quite happy when candidates have positive body language. As a result, when responding to the IELTS introduction questions, applicants must sit straight and maintain eye contact with the examiner. Additionally, IELTS candidates need to get acclimated to the rising cost of schooling abroad. This occasionally can also give some enthusiasts pause. Leap Scholar strives to make your plans to study abroad affordable by offering financial aid. We have supported more than 3000 students since the program's start, and we intend to continue our tradition.