How to Use Tenses Correctly for the IELTS Speaking Module?

IELTS Speaking Module

Students are plunged into a spiral of anxiety while trying to understand the concept of tenses. This is one of the most basic yet complex parts of English grammar. But you should not fret about it too much. See for the IELTS exam you just need to know the fundamental concepts of tenses. If you know how to use the three tenses-present, past, and perfect in your IELTS speaking module you can easily get an excellent score. So, for both parts of the speaking module, you’ll be extensively using tenses. 

For the correct usage of tenses, you should understand the context of the question. Listen to your IELTS speaking question carefully.  The tense which you need to use for your answer entirely depends on the question. Is it all sounding too bewildering to you? Well, you don’t need to fret about it. This article will help you know how to use tenses correctly during the IELTS speaking module. To study in the most ideal environment, join the top IELTS Institute in Jalandhar for effective preparations.

Keep reading this article to know more about tenses and thus do wonders in the IELTS speaking module

Usage of present tense

In the first part of the IELTS speaking module, the examiner often asks the students about his/her hobbies. It is a ubiquitous question. Now you should be aware of the fact that you’ll be using the present tense while talking about your hobbies. You are describing something which exists in the present. So you’ll be employing simple present/present perfect while talking about your hobbies. Now to make you understand this better we will provide you with sample answers to this question below-

What are your hobbies?

Sample answer 1 

I like to read a lot. Reading has always been a passion for me. I have been fond of reading novels and other books since childhood.

Sample answer 2

My hobby is playing guitar. I learned it with the help of youtube. I feel music is one of the best ways to refresh yourself. 

Sample answer 3

Well, talking about my hobby, I love traveling a lot. I often go on solo trips to different destinations. Travelling has enabled me to become a confident person. I love exploring new places. 

So you can observe how in all these three answers we are using only the present tense. The usage of the present tense in the IELTS speaking module isn’t merely limited to the above question. If the examiner asks you to describe your interests, neighborhood, family, pet, etc then in all these questions you’ll be making use of present tense for the most part.

Usage of past tense

You’ll be using past tense in the first module of your IELTS speaking task if you are asked to describe something from the past. Now such questions are quite common in the IELTS speaking module. It could be about some past memory, a gift you received on your birthday, your school days, etc. Since you are talking about the events which occurred and ended in the past hence you will be using only simple past/past perfect. To make you understand this better let us read the below question and the sample answers to it. 

Question- Describe a fond memory from your school days.

Sample answer 1 

My school days were filled with some beautiful memories. One of my favorite moments was when I got first prize in the inter-house debate competition. I had prepared quite hard for it. My parents gifted me a robot car for my hard work. 

Sample answer 2

One of my favorite school memories was being elected as the school’s head boy. I won the elections with a majority vote. The moment when the principal presented me with the head boy badge was so overwhelming. 

So you should observe how the answer is utilizing the past tense only. Since you are describing your school memory you are talking about all those events that unfolded and culminated in the past. 

Usage of the future tense

Furthermore, we will be talking about the usage of the future tense in your IELTS speaking module. Basically, if you want to describe any future event you will have to use the future tense. The future tense is spoken by using modal verbs like a will, shall, etc. Now read the below example to understand this in a better way. 

Question- Do you think reading will remain a popular hobby?

Sample answer 1

There’s no doubt that the interest of youngsters in reading is dwindling. But I still believe that reading will always be popular as technology will make it even more interesting. Individuals will have access to e-books at the click of their smartphones. Artificial intelligence will help even those who are blind, to read books. Digital libraries will open up.

So I strongly believe that reading will always remain popular.

So the above question wants the student to peep into the future and answer the question. Hence the answer is all written in the future tense with the help of the modal verb- ‘will’

Now we hope that you have understood how to use all three tenses during the speaking task. It is vital for you to have a proper understanding of these tenses so that you can do well in the IELTS speaking tasks. If you are still finding it complex to grasp these concepts then the important thing to do is to join the finest IELTS Institute in Ludhiana.

Summing it up

To sum it up, tenses are definitely a confusing concept. It can be challenging for non-native speakers to understand the concept thoroughly. But the prerequisite to doing well in your IELTS speaking module is to properly understand tenses. The above article will guide you on how to use the present, past, and future tense while attempting the IELTS speaking module. 

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