Audio for the free Start IELTS lesson Speaking – Pronunciation Essentials. Listen first, then repeat in the gaps. Open the audio script if you need to check a word.
Track 1 – Model Answer: A Journey
Section 1. Listen to the model answer. Notice which words are stressed and where the speaker pauses.
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I’d like to talk about a trip I took about thirteen years ago, when I travelled to Scotland with my brother. We decided to go by train, and the journey lasted about seven hours. I remember the train was very crowded, so we stood for the first thirty minutes.
The best part was the view. As we went north, the countryside changed completely. There were mountains, lakes and tiny villages. My brother watched the scenery the whole time, and I think I took about three hundred photos.
It’s a journey I’ll never forget, partly because it was the first long trip we’d ever taken together. Since then, there’s been a big increase in train prices, so I’m not sure we could afford it now!
Track 2 – Endings
Section 3, and the answers to Practice A and B. Listen and repeat each word in the gap.
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Past tense endings: stopped · wanted · played · watched · needed · lived · laughed · visited
Plural endings: books · buses · friends · watches · cats · goes · pages · shops
Track 3 – Sounds
Section 3. Listen and repeat each word in the gap. Listen carefully to the difference in each pair.
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TH as in think: think · sink · three · tree
TH as in this: this · the · mother · with
P and B: pill · bill · pie · buy
B and V: berry · very · vote · boat · van · ban
L and R: light · right · play · pray · glass · grass · collect · correct
Long and short vowels: ship · sheep · sit · seat · full · fool
Two sentences: I live in Leeds. · I leave at eight.
Track 4 – Word Stress
Section 3, and the answers to Practice C, D and E. Listen and repeat. Make the stressed syllable longer and stronger.
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Numbers: thirTEEN · THIRty · fifTEEN · FIFty
Long words: PHOtograph · phoTOgraphy · eCONomy · ecoNOMic · imPORtant · COMfortable
Sentences: I think it’s a good idea. · The van was full of boxes. · Is this the right answer? · I usually leave home at eight. · Can you correct my mistakes? · It’s very hot today.
Nouns and verbs: There was a sharp increase in sales. · Can I record our conversation? · The country’s main export is coffee. · Prices are expected to decrease. · She gave me a lovely birthday present.
Track 5 – Natural Speech
Section 3, and the answers to Practice F. Listen and repeat. Keep the small words short and weak.
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Weak forms: I want to go. · A cup of tea. · I can swim.
Sentences: I’ve lived here for six years. · It’s a very popular place. · I’d like to travel more. · I don’t have much free time. · That’s why I chose this job.
Track 6 – Read Aloud Model
Section 6. Record yourself reading the text first, then listen to the model and compare.
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I’d like to describe a festival I visited thirteen years ago. I travelled there with three friends, and we stayed in a small village nearby. I think the best part was the music. We watched about thirty different bands over three days. There was a very relaxed atmosphere, and everyone looked happy. Since then, there’s been a big increase in ticket prices, but I’d love to go back.