Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and in this lesson we’ll explore how to develop extended answers confidently in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
In this stage of the exam, you’re expected to analyse ideas, explain reasons, and give examples — not just short opinions.
According to the British Council’s band descriptors, candidates at Band 7 and above can “speak at length using cohesive devices and organised ideas.” Let’s learn exactly how to do that.
In Part 3, short one-sentence replies sound unfinished.
Examiners look for responses that show reasoning, not just statements.
As IELTS.org explains, Part 3 tests your ability to express and justify opinions, analyse issues, and speculate about future situations.
The good news: you can use simple, repeatable frameworks to build your ideas step by step.
This is the easiest and most effective way to extend answers naturally.
Step | What to Do | Example |
Statement | Give your main opinion clearly. | “Yes, I believe technology has made communication faster.” |
Explanation | Explain why you think so. | “People can now contact each other instantly, no matter where they are.” |
Example | Support with a specific illustration. | “For example, I have friends abroad, and we speak on video calls every weekend.” |
A simple three-step pattern that works for almost any Part 3 question.
Framework | Use It For | Structure | Example |
Cause → Effect → Opinion | Explaining trends or changes | “One reason people move to cities is for jobs; this leads to crowding, so I think governments need better housing policies.” | |
Compare → Contrast → Conclude | Comparison questions | “In the past, people read newspapers, whereas now they read online. Overall, technology has changed our habits completely.” | |
Problem → Solution → Result | Issue and solution topics | “Traffic congestion is a huge problem. If public transport improves, fewer people will drive, reducing pollution.” |
You’ll notice these patterns appear in real IDP IELTS Speaking videos.
Question: Do you think young people should spend more time outdoors?
Band 8 Model Answer
Yes, definitely. Spending time outdoors helps young people stay healthy and reduce stress. For instance, doing sports or walking in nature improves mood and concentration. In my view, it’s essential to balance screen time with outdoor activity.
✅ Clear structure (Statement → Reason → Example → Reflection).
✅ Natural connectors: for instance, in my view.
Question: How do you think education will change in the future?
Model Answer
I believe education will become more technology-driven. Many schools already use tablets instead of textbooks. In the future, I think virtual reality lessons will let students explore history or science more interactively. However, teachers will still be important to guide learning.
✅ Shows balanced speculation using modals (will, might, think).
Purpose | Useful Phrases |
Starting Opinion | I believe that …, Personally speaking …, In my opinion … |
Explaining | The main reason is …, That’s because …, This happens when … |
Giving Examples | For instance …, A good example is …, Such as … |
Comparing | Compared with …, In contrast …, On the other hand … |
Speculating | It might …, It’s likely that …, I wouldn’t be surprised if … |
Concluding | So overall …, To sum up …, That’s why I think … |
Practise mixing two or three of these per answer for a smooth rhythm.
Instead of filling silence with “um” or “you know,” use short thinking phrases:
“That’s an interesting question…”
“Let me think about that for a second…”
As British Council experts note, controlled pauses show confidence, not hesitation.
Mistake | Fix |
Giving only one-sentence answers | Always follow SEE or Cause-Effect pattern. |
Forgetting examples | Add at least one per answer. |
Speaking too personally | Include general trends too. |
Repeating the question word-for-word | Paraphrase to sound natural. |
Ending abruptly | Use a short conclusion sentence. |
Choose a random Part 3 question (e.g., “Why do people enjoy travelling?”).
1️⃣ Write three short notes: Reason, Example, Reflection.
2️⃣ Speak for one minute following the SEE structure.
3️⃣ Record and listen — check whether each part is clear.
4️⃣ Repeat with a new topic daily.
This routine builds confidence and timing for Band 7 fluency.
Review Part 3 sample videos on IDP IELTS to see how long answers flow naturally
After each mock test, ask yourself:
1️⃣ How long should each Part 3 answer be?
Around 30–40 seconds is ideal — enough for a complete idea and example.
2️⃣ Can I prepare frameworks before the exam?
Yes, you can practise structures like SEE or Cause-Effect, but never memorise whole answers.
3️⃣ Do examples have to be real?
Not necessarily — they can be invented if they sound reasonable.
4️⃣ Will pausing to think affect my score?
No — controlled pauses are normal and show organised thinking.
5️⃣ Where can I find more practice materials?
Visit IELTS.org sample questions and the British Council IELTS Speaking page.
Developing extended answers is a core skill for Part 3.
By following frameworks like SEE and adding examples and reflections, you can speak logically and confidently for Band 7+.
Next, move on to Academic Vocabulary for Discussion to learn formal phrases that fit perfectly with these structures.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for a full band-criteria refresh.
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