Can I Lie in IELTS Speaking?

Many students often ask if it is okay to lie in IELTS speaking or is it okay to build up a story during the speaking test? 

Well, of course, you can lie in your speaking test. It is not a lie detector test. However, the more you stick to the truth, the easier it will be to crack the exam. 

Why telling the truth in the IELTS Speaking test has advantages over lies?

• Let’s suppose you are asked a question, and you don’t have a clear answer. It would be best if you conveyed to the examiner that you don’t know anything about the topic as you don’t have any relevant experience related to the topic. However, you can give supporting information explaining the reasons why you are unfamiliar with the topic. Your ultimate goal is to convince the examiner of your English language skills. 

• Lying requires imagination. However, you are not sure that you will be able to provide supporting ideas or information to your lies. It is better to stick to the truth. 
• Suppose you are asked a question but are not sure about the topic. Consider talking about the relevant topic and add more information to it. However, make sure you refer to the original topic assigned to you by the examiner. 
• Avoid lying in part 1 of the Speaking test, as the examiner will ask you questions about you, like confirming the details from your ID. You should never lie about the information given in your ID card details.

Below are some tips to help you use lies in your IELTS Speaking Test:

Speaking part 1

Since most of these questions would be about you, you shouldn’t lie in this round. However, there can be scenarios where there might be certain information that you won’t be able to recall. When this happens, you might add little information that is not true. For example, you may be asked about your hobbies. Let’s suppose if you don’t have many hobbies, you can use this space to introduce some imaginary information that isn’t real.

Speaking part 2

Students often run out of ideas when they have to speak about something spontaneously. You can use that space to introduce information that is not true. For example, you are asked to talk about your pets. In cases where you don’t own a pet, you can either choose to tell the truth that you don’t own a pen and why not, or you can even make a story about an imaginary pet and add supporting information.

Speaking part 3

In this part of the Speaking test, lies will probably be able to help you a lot. As in this part, the examiner can ask you some questions that you might not be prepared to answer. The examiner will expect you to have completely developed and elaborated answers. If the examiner asks you some questions for which you have no background knowledge, pretend you do. For example, the examiner asks you, ‘Do people in your country often talk to strangers?’ Use your imagination here and give an elaborated answer based on your imagination. Remember, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer. The examiner is only interested in evaluating your English language abilities and not finding whether you are telling the truth.

To summarise, If you take a long break or are unable to give a detailed response, your fluency score will suffer. If you cannot think of an answer spontaneously, try to use imaginary information. Use your judgment to determine if you have to lie or tell the truth.

Also check:

• IELTS Speaking tips
• Linking words for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking recent actual test
• IELTS Speaking topics 2020
• Sports Vocabulary IELTS
• Work Vocabulary IELTS
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide
• Common English words in IELTS Speaking