IELTS Speaking: 5 fixes that lift your band

You do not need perfect English to score well in IELTS Speaking. You need to show range, fluency and coherence. These five fixes move the needle fastest.

1. Extend every answer

Answer the question, then add a reason and an example. Two extra sentences is often the difference between a 6 and a 7.

2. Use linking words naturally

"That said", "on the other hand", "which is why" - they signal coherence without sounding rehearsed.

3. Do not panic on hard questions

Paraphrase to buy time: "That is an interesting one - I have not thought about it much, but I would say..."