In this post: How I use the “PPT” strategy (people, place, time) to split any Speaking Part 1 answer in two, with patterns and worked examples.
✦ In this post
Anyone preparing for IELTS knows that the topics cover almost everything under the sun, and it is easy to be asked about something you have never thought about. Speaking Part 1 is also where you make your first impression on the examiner, so it matters a lot. In this post I explain how to use the P-P-T strategy to handle the huge range of Part 1 questions. (I learned this technique from a British Council IELTS examiner.)
The basic idea
The “PPT” strategy is mainly for Part 1 (sometimes it works in Part 3 too). The logic is simple: find a way to split your answer into two parts (it is fine if the split is completely obvious), and link them with a compound sentence. This stops you from answering with a bare “yes” or “no”. Your answer becomes longer, and at the same time it can lift your Grammatical Range and Accuracy and your Fluency and Coherence scores.
Answer patterns
It depends. If ……………… However, if ………………
Split the answer into two parts, and say one two-clause sentence (for example “If…, I…”) for each part.
It depends. When ……………… However, when ………………
Split the answer into two parts, and say one two-clause sentence (for example “If…, I…”) for each part.
It depends. ……………… However, ………………
A more flexible version. Use it when your answer does not fit neatly after “if” or “when”.
“PPT”: People, Place, Time
These are the three angles you can use to split almost any Part 1 answer in two:
| Angle | Ways to split the answer |
|---|---|
| People (different people) | older people / children / young people; men / women; office workers / students; different personalities |
| Place (different places) | cities / the countryside; indoors / outdoors |
| Time (different times) | the past / the present / the future; holidays / term time; morning / afternoon / evening; weekdays / weekends |
Examples (from the September 2024 question bank)
IELTS Speaking topics rotate in batches, and candidates usually prepare from the set of Part 1 questions in circulation at the time. The examples below come from the set that was in use in September 2024, when I wrote this post.
Splitting by people
Question: How do your friends get news?
A typical answer:
My friends usually get news from apps on their phones, because… (it’s convenient, or something like that).
This answer is a bit short, and in the exam room you may not be able to think of the benefits of news apps quickly. That pause hurts your fluency.
The PPT version:
It depends. My female friends usually read the news on apps on their phones. However, my male friends tend to watch the news on TV.
Why it works: I split the answer into men and women. All you need is grammatically correct sentences. The answer does not have to be “true”.
Splitting by place
Question: Do you think the roads in your city need improvement?
It depends. I think the roads in the countryside could be better. However, I think the roads in the city are already good enough.
Here I split the answer into roads in the countryside and roads in the city.
Question: Do you use coins in your daily life?
It depends. When I buy things in a physical shop, I use coins. However, when I shop online, I choose to pay by credit card.
Here I split the situation into shopping online and shopping in a physical shop.
Splitting by time
Question: Do you always laugh at funny things?
It depends. When I’m in a good mood, I usually laugh. However, when I’m in a bad mood, I usually don’t.
Here I split the time into when I am in a good mood and when I am in a bad mood.
Question: What do you usually eat for breakfast?
It depends. On weekdays, I like to have a sandwich for breakfast. However, at the weekend, I usually choose pancakes.
Here I split the time into weekdays and weekends. Again, you do not have to give your real answer. It just has to make sense.
Conclusion
In short, the logic of the PPT strategy is to split your answer in two and make it longer. One thing to remember: your Part 1 answers do not have to be “the true answer”. You only need to make sure what you say is logical, so avoid overthinking while you try to come up with a “real” answer. Once you have practised this technique, it is extremely useful in Part 1, so make sure you master it!
That is everything I wanted to share about the PPT strategy. I hope you all get the score you are aiming for!
IELTS Notes in English · Speaking & Study Tips (post 1 of 2)
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✦ Target Your Future
Some days you practise for hours and the score still does not move. I hope these notes remind you that the setbacks are part of the road: every recording you replayed, every essay you rewrote and every sentence you finally dared to say is progress you have already made.
I wrote this down so the next person can take fewer detours. You do not have to follow my method exactly. Find a rhythm that works for you, rest when you need to, and come back for the next small step.
I hope what you take away is more than a number on a score report: a little more confidence in yourself, and the courage to step a bit closer to the world.
— Ting
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