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Top Real IELTS Speaking

Author: China Machine Press
Year: 2013.
Pages: 325p.

A Top Speaking material for IELTS. English: 99% – Chinese: Only some explanations.
Research has shown that the speech functions which occur regularly in a candidate’s output during the Speaking Test are:
– Providing personal information
– Expressing a preference Providing non-personal information
– Comparing Expressing opinions
– Summarising Explaining
– Conversation repair Suggesting
– Contrasting Justifying opinions
– Narrating and paraphrasing Speculating
– Analysing
Fluency and Coherence refers to the ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.
The key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity. The key indicators of coherence are logical sequencing of sentences, clear marking of stages in a discussion, narration or argument, and the use of cohesive devices (e.g. connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) within and between sentences.
Lexical Resource refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate can use and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed.
The key indicators are the variety of words used, the adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get round a vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hesitation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the candidate’s grammatical resource. The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses, and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. The key indicators of grammatical accuracy are the number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech and the communicative effect of error.
Pronunciation refers to the ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the speaking test requirements. The key indicators will be the amount of strain caused to the listener, the amount of the speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of L1 influence.