Let’s talk about the WWWWH method.
It’s actually a way to remember five question words: Who, What, Where, When, and How.
These little words can be your secret strategy for longer, more detailed answers.
Here’s how it works
When you’re asked a question, please try to include information about who, what, where, when, and how in your answer. This helps you give more details and keep talking for longer.
Let me show you what I mean with an example.
Imagine the examiner asks you:
“Tell me about a book you’ve read recently.”
Without using the WWWWH method, you might say something like: “I read a book about space. It was interesting.”
That’s okay, but it’s pretty short.
Now, let’s try it with WWWWH:
“I recently read a book about space exploration (What). It was written by an astronaut (Who) who had been to the International Space Station (Where). I started reading it last month (When) because I’ve always been curious about life in space. The author described how astronauts live and work in zero gravity (How), which I found really interesting.”
See how much longer and more detailed that answer is?
And it wasn’t hard to come up with – you just need to think about those five question words.
You don’t always need to use all five W’s and H in every answer. Even using two or three can help you give a fuller response.
Here’s another example
If the question is “What’s your favorite season?“, you could talk about:
- What: The season itself and why you like it
- Who: Who you spend time with during this season
- Where: Where you like to go in this season
- When: When this season occurs in your country
- How: How the weather affects your daily life
Practicing this technique can really help you feel more confident in your Speaking test.
Remember, the examiner wants to hear you speak.
By giving longer, more detailed answers, you’re giving them more of your English to assess, which can help boost your score.
So, why not give the WWWWH method a try in your next practice session?
Have you tried any methods to give longer answers in Speaking?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Author
IELTS Maverick
Founder of Worddemy and an ex-IELTS student turned IELTS Instructor. After completing Academic English Program from University of Texas, he have successfully navigated the IELTS exam. As a former test-taker, he intimately understands the challenges students face. He brings a unique perspective that combines personal experience with professional expertise. Now, as an IELTS Instructor and Strategist, he leverages this firsthand knowledge to develop effective preparation strategies and materials.
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