IELTS Speaking Part 3: Linking Words That Sound Natural

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

Visual representation of the voice · not a photographic portrait

Quick answer: Use linking words in Part 3 to show how your ideas connect: opinion, reason, example, contrast and wrap-up. Choose spoken linkers like 'the thing is', 'having said that' and 'so overall' instead of essay words like 'moreover' and 'in conclusion'. Two or three per answer is usually enough.↗ Share on X

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, use linking words to show how your ideas connect — giving a view, a reason, an example, a contrast and a conclusion — and use spoken linkers, not essay linkers. Words like "well," "the thing is," "on the other hand," "for instance," and "so overall" sound natural in conversation. Words like "furthermore," "moreover," and "in conclusion" sound like you memorized a writing template. Two or three well-chosen linkers per answer are usually enough; more than that starts to sound forced.

This article gives you a simple answer structure, the linkers that fit each step, real example answers, and the mistakes that cost candidates marks.

Why do linking words matter in Part 3?

READ ALSOIELTS Task 2 Paraphrasing: 5 Moves That Keep the Meaning →IELTS Task 2 Quantifiers: Fix "Less People" and Reach Band 8 →IELTS Task 2 Examples: Where They Go and How to Write Them →

Part 3 is the discussion section. It lasts about four to five minutes. The examiner asks broader, more abstract questions linked to your Part 2 topic — for example, if you talked about a favorite teacher, Part 3 may ask about education in your country.

Your speaking score is based on four criteria:

1. Fluency and Coherence

2. Lexical Resource (vocabulary)

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

4. Pronunciation

Linking words mainly help with coherence — how easy it is to follow your ideas. In Part 3, the examiner wants to hear you give an opinion, explain it, support it, and compare it with other views. Linkers are the signposts that make that clear.

But here is the catch: the descriptors reward using linkers flexibly and appropriately. Stuffing answers with "firstly, secondly, moreover" is not flexible. It is mechanical, and examiners notice.

What simple structure should a Part 3 answer follow?

Use this five-step structure. You do not need all five steps every time, but it gives your answer a clear shape:

1. Opinion — answer the question directly.

2. Reason — explain why.

3. Example — make it concrete.

4. Contrast — show another side (optional, but strong).

5. Wrap-up — a short final sentence that brings it back to the question.

A good Part 3 answer is usually around four to six sentences. That is long enough to develop an idea and short enough to stay focused.

Which linking words fit each step?

READ ALSOIELTS Speaking Fillers That Sound Natural (and Ones to Drop) →Complex Sentences for IELTS Band 8: 5 Patterns That Work →IELTS Passive Voice in Task 2: When It Helps Your Band →

Here are natural spoken options for each part of the structure. Learn two or three from each row — not all of them.

Notice the pattern: speaking linkers are shorter, use everyday words, and often include "I" or "the thing." They sound like a person thinking aloud, which is exactly what Part 3 is.

What does a strong answer with linkers sound like?

Question: Do you think children today spend too much time on screens?

Weak answer (mechanical):

"Firstly, children spend a lot of time on screens. Secondly, this is bad for their health. Moreover, they do not play outside. In conclusion, yes, they spend too much time."

Every linker is formal, the ideas are thin, and there is no example.

Stronger answer (natural):

"Well, I'd say yes, in a lot of cases. The thing is, phones and tablets are designed to keep you watching, so it's really hard for kids to stop on their own. Take my nephew, for example — he's seven, and if nobody takes the tablet away, he'll stay on it all afternoon. Having said that, screens aren't all bad. A lot of children learn languages or coding from apps. So overall, I think the problem isn't screens themselves, it's the lack of limits."

Count the linkers: "well," "the thing is," "so," "take… for example," "having said that," "so overall." Each one has a clear job. None of them sound like an essay.

Question: Why do some people prefer living in big cities?

Stronger answer:

"Mainly because of job opportunities, I think. Big cities have far more companies, so young people especially move there to start their careers. On top of that, there's just more to do — concerts, restaurants, that kind of thing. That said, a lot of people leave cities later in life, because the cost of living and the noise get tiring. So I guess cities suit certain stages of life better than others."

What are the most common linking word mistakes?

1. Using written linkers in speech. "Furthermore" and "moreover" are correct English, but they sound unnatural in a chat. Save them for Writing Task 2.

2. Starting every sentence with a linker. Real speakers don't. Some sentences should just follow naturally.

3. Using the same linker again and again. Saying "and also… and also… and also" shows a narrow range. Rotate between two or three options.

4. Wrong meaning. "On the other hand" introduces a *contrast*, not an extra point. Using it to add a similar idea confuses the listener. Also, "on the contrary" is not a synonym for "on the other hand" — it is used to reject a statement completely.

5. Memorized openers. Starting every answer with "That's a very interesting question" or "Well, there are many factors to consider" sounds rehearsed. Examiners hear these all day.

6. Linkers with nothing behind them. "For example…" followed by a vague idea ("for example, many things") is worse than no linker at all.

How should you practice linking words before the test?

Knowing a list is not enough. You need to use the words without thinking. Here is a two-week routine:

Days 1–3: Pick one linker from each row of the table above. Write them on a card. Only seven words.

Days 4–7: Find a list of Part 3 practice questions. Each day, answer five questions out loud using the five-step structure. Record yourself on your phone.

Days 8–10: Listen to your recordings. Mark every linker you used. Ask: Did it fit? Did I repeat it? Did I sound like I was reading?

Days 11–14: Swap in a second linker for each row, so you have two options per step. Practice with a friend or tutor who asks follow-up questions, because Part 3 examiners often push you with "Why?" or "Do you think that will change?"

Two tips while you practice:

• Speak, don't write. Writing answers first trains you to sound like an essay.
• Use fillers honestly. If you need a second to think, "That's a tricky one — let me think…" is natural and acceptable. Long silences are not.

Can linkers help when you don't know what to say?

Yes. Linkers give you a path forward when your mind goes blank:

• Not sure of your opinion? Use: "It depends, really. On one hand… but on the other hand…"
• Need time? Use: "Well, I haven't thought about that much, but I'd say…"
• Ran out of ideas? Use: "Like in my country, for instance…" and describe something real you know.

These buy you a few seconds while keeping your speech flowing, which helps your fluency score.

Your next step

Copy the table above onto a card, but circle only one linker per row — seven in total. Tomorrow, record yourself answering three Part 3 questions using only those seven. Listen back once, count how many you used naturally, and replace any that felt awkward. Do this every day this week, and the linkers will start coming out on their own.

FAQ

Can I use 'moreover' and 'furthermore' in IELTS Speaking?

They are correct, but they sound formal and memorized in conversation. Spoken options like 'on top of that' or 'what's more' sound more natural in Part 3.

How many linking words should I use in one Part 3 answer?

Usually two to four, each with a clear job. Starting every sentence with a linker sounds mechanical and does not help your score.

How long should a Part 3 answer be?

Around four to six sentences is a good target: enough to give an opinion, a reason, an example and a short wrap-up without drifting off topic.

What is the difference between 'on the other hand' and 'on the contrary'?

'On the other hand' introduces another side of the issue. 'On the contrary' rejects a statement completely. They are not interchangeable.