Speak to Score #3: Deep Dive into Part 3 – How to Sound Like a Fluent Speaker

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Master the Deep Dive

From Personal Stories to Big Ideas

The shift from gears in IELTS Speaking often trips up even advanced learners. Part 2 asks about your personal life. Part 3? Now you must discuss abstract ideas, compare concepts, and explain causes and effects.

This is your deep dive, where you prove you can handle complex English.

What to Expect

Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes with 4–6 challenging questions. If Part 2 was about "a gift you received," Part 3 might ask:

• Why do people give gifts in your culture?

• How will gift-giving change in the future?

• What are the economic consequences of consumerism?

You're no longer describing experiences. You're analyzing society.

The IDEA Framework: Your Road Map

When a tough question hits you, your mind can freeze. Use IDEA to stay organized:

I – Introduce your main opinion D – Develop with reasons E – Example to support your point A – Add detail or comparison

Example Question: "Do people rely too much on technology?"

I: "Yes, I strongly believe people are quite dependent on technology nowadays."

D: "Our phones are essential for navigation, banking, and education."

E: "If my Wi-Fi goes down for an hour, I can't attend online classes or pay bills."

A: "However, this dependency isn't always negative. It facilitates global connectivity."

Key Strategies for High Scores

1. Paraphrase to Buy Time

Don't start with silence. Restate the question: "That's an excellent question. I do think society is increasingly reliant on digital tools..." This buys you 3–5 seconds to organize your thoughts.

2. Master Comparing and Contrasting

Use linking phrases:

• "On the one hand... whereas..."

• "In contrast to the past..."

• "While both have benefits..."

3. Add Depth

Don't give surface answers. Ask yourself:

• Why does this happen?

• What are the consequences?

• What's the solution?

Example: "If people stop reading, a major consequence will be shorter attention spans."

4. Use Strong Opinion Language

Signal your perspective clearly:

• "I strongly believe..."

• "From my perspective..."

• "It's highly likely that..."

5. Focus on Delivery

Vary your pitch. Emphasize key words. Pause before new ideas. A flat voice sounds boring, even with great content.

Your Practice Challenge

Answer this question using IDEA (40–60 seconds):

"What impact does the media have on people's shopping habits?"

Did you:

• Give a clear opinion (I)?

• Explain how media influences people (D)?

• Provide an example (E)?

• Add comparison or detail (A)?

Final Thoughts: Be the Expert

Part 3 is your moment to transition from language student to intelligent conversationalist. It's not about finding the "right" answer. It's about developing your ideas fluently and coherently.

Use IDEA, master comparisons, and sound confident. You'll prove you have the skills for Band 7 or higher!

Vocabulary Guide: Idioms and Expressions Explained

Shift gears = Change from one activity or topic to another (from driving: changing gears in a car)

Trips up = Causes someone to make a mistake or have difficulty

Deep dive = Detailed, thorough examination of a topic (from diving deep underwater)

Road map = A plan or guide that shows you how to reach a goal

Hits you = Arrives suddenly; comes to you (usually unexpectedly)

Buys you (time) = Gives you extra time to think or prepare

Transition from... to... = Change or move from one state/role to another