IELTS speaking tests, key vocabulary + suggested answers

Part 1 – sample questions

• Do you have a small or large family?
• Tell me about someone in your family you like spending time with.
• What do you enjoy doing with your family at weekends?
• Were your parents strict when you were a child?
• How often do you have family get-togethers?
• Which member of your family are you most similar to?

Part 2 – sample questions

Part 3 – sample questions

• In what ways is family life different now to the past?
• Who plays a vital role in bringing up children, men or women in the society? Why do you think so?
• What are some of the pressures on family life today?
• Do you think parents discipline children enough these days?
• What values should parents teach their children?
• What’s the most important thing parents can teach their children?
• Do you agree that children should help with housework?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of both parents working?
• Where is the best place to raise a family, in the city or the countryside?

Useful Vocabulary - family

Family members

• sibling (brother or sister)
• spouse (husband or wife)
• parent (mother/mum or father/dad)
• grandparent (grandmother / grandfather)
• niece / nephew
• aunt / uncle
• cousin
• in-laws (family of spouse)

Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + family

• nuclear family (two parents / two children)
• immediate family (parents/grandparents/siblings)
• extended family (aunts/uncles/cousins etc)
• close family
• close knit family (very close)
• single-parent / one-parent family

Noun + Noun Collocations (family + noun)

• family member
• family unit
• family tree
• family man
• family name (surname)
• family values
• family bond / ties
• family gathering / get-together
• family tradition
• family crisis

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + family)

• to start a family
• to have a family
• to bring up a family (to look after children)
• to raise a family (to take care of children)
• to split up a family

Expressions with 'get'

• to get / be engaged
• to get / be married
• to get / be divorced
• to get back together

Other expressions with 'family'

• to follow the family tradition
• keep it in the family
• to be one of the family (like a family member)
• a family of 4/5/6 etc)
• in the family way (to be pregnant)

Useful Linkers / Discourse Markers

• because
• for example
• in terms of
• however
• in this respect
• if you think about
• likewise
• actually
• personally speaking

Sample part 3 question

Where’s the best place to raise a family, the city or the countryside?

Sample answer

I think that's a difficult question nowadays because it depends on which aspect you're considering. For example, in terms of quality of life, I might say that living in the countryside is the better option because there is more space for children to play, they are in contact with nature, there is more freedom and they are probably safer too. However, there is also a lack of facilities and in this respect the city may be the better choice. Also, if you think about employment, it’s mostly city-based. Likewise, opportunities to go to interesting cultural events as there is undoubtedly much more on offer in the city. Public transport and other services are also more available, so things like after school activities are easier to attend. Actually, there are a lot of things to take into consideration and for most families, it’s probably not an easy decision, but personally speaking, I'd prefer the countryside.