Rules library / Speaking
Read Aloud
Say every word once, at one steady speed, and never stop to fix a mistake.
The rule
- 1You get 30-40 seconds to look at the text. Use it: mark where you will pause (commas, full stops) and say any hard word once in your head.
- 2Speak at one steady pace. The machine scores fluency by rhythm, so an even, slightly slow reading beats a fast reading with jumps.
- 3Never repeat a word. If you slip, keep going. A repeat costs more than a small mispronunciation.
- 4Say the ending of every word: -s, -ed, -ing. Missing endings is the biggest score loss for most learners.
Worked example
The library extends its opening hours during the examination period.
- Pause once, after 'hours'.
- Endings to hit: extend-S, open-ING, hour-S.
- Keep one speed from start to finish.
Answer: The library extends its opening hours | during the examination period.
Three drills
Drill 1. You mispronounce a word halfway through. What do you do?
Drill 2. Where should you pause in: 'Although costs rose, demand stayed high.'?
Drill 3. Which habit loses the most marks?