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Is it true that we wouldn't lose marks if we don't answer subquestions linked to main topic of Speaking Section 2? Some IELTS teachers claim that official marking criteria doesn't include directives of marking Section 2 based on answering to those subquestions (why, where, when...); however, it must be offered high level knowledge (vocabulary, cohesion, tenses,...) about the main topic. This sounds logically to me because we're not asked to have essay structure answers but speaking for 2 minutes about topic - at those moments we're losing orientation of time and maybe we have prepaired answers to those subquestions but not have enough time to answer them.
However, some IELTS instructors claim that these subquestions must be answered to gain higher mark. Please, tell me yours opinion.

Hi!
Many of my students ask the same question. The simple answer is that you can say whatever you like as long as you answer the main question (Describe ...). The sub-points are suggestions only. However, very often, the sub-points should be included to be logical, e.g. "Describe a teacher. You should say who this teacher is".
All the best,
David

Thank you!

Speaking of Speaking , I have comment... It seems that marking criteria is inconsistent. When watching youtube videos of speaking exam, it can be seen that different levels of Speaking can be marked equally, especially for 6's and 7's... I don't know if those are real exams..they look like real ones.

Hi!
I have never seen a real IELTS speaking test on YouTube. If you want to direct me to a particular video, go ahead.
David

David, I think he meant the simulation of real speaking tests/mock exams, which are available in abundance on Youtube

Yes, those are probably just simulation tests... however, they look like real ones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9UmoBO_LSc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5zBUSu-EpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlHtPM8uBl4