Category: IELTS Speaking

Let’s face it, nobody looks forward to IELTS Speaking Part 3! Giving your opinion on quite unfamiliar topics is a challenge, even for a native speaker.

But remember, the examiner doesn’t care about your opinions. He or she wants to know if you can respond in English to unfamiliar questions, that’s all. Read the three hints below before you attempt to answer the questions. 

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You can also download these IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions as a set of cards for classroom use.

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Hints for IELTS Speaking Part 3

Hint #1: Your opinions aren’t important. How you respond is. That means you should focus your preparation on key phrases and strategies to handle difficult issues. See some examples here.

Hint #2: The examiner isn’t interested in knowing your opinion, only your English ability. If you have no opinion, try to talk about other people’s opinion on the subject instead.

Hint #3: Hesitations are very bad for your IELTS Speaking score. Use filler expressions to avoid any long silences. Our list of emergency language for IELTS speaking may help.

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #1: Role models

• Which type of people are respected most in your society?
• Do you agree with this situation?
• What happens when young people lack good role models?
• What standards of behaviour should teachers set?
• Do you agree that you should never meet your heroes?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #2: Travel and transport

• How easy is it to travel around your country?
• Which method of travel do you consider safest?
• Has travel become safer in recent years?
• What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?
• How do you think people will travel in the future?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #3: Universities

• Is higher education too expensive in your country?
• Should all students pay for their university education?
• What advantages do universities bring to society?
• Which is more important, research or teaching?
• How should students spend their summer vacations?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #4: Sports and competition

• Why are some sports fans so passionate?
• Is there any violence at sporting events in your country?
• Should athletes be better role models?
• What benefits do international sporting events bring?
• Is it important for a country to win lots of medals?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #5: Leadership and politics

• Do you think people are born to be leaders?
• Can leadership skills be taught?
• Why are elected politicians often so unpopular?
• What should a leader do to remain popular?
• Do you think unelected heads of state are a good idea?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #6: Life experience

• Do you agree that we learn best from our mistakes?
• What’s the best way to gain experience in life?
• Can we gain life experience from books and movies?
• Which is more important, experience or potential?
• What experience do you wish you’d gained?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #7: Retirement and old age

• At what age should people retire from work?
• What problems can people face after retirement?
• How important are retirees to your country’s economy?
• When should you start saving for retirement?
• Why do some companies encourage early retirement?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #8: Photography and the image

• Is it easy to take good photographs?
• What are the pros and cons of digital photography?
• Should people share their photographs online?
• When can an image be worth a thousand words?
• Is a photograph a reliable form of identification?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #9: Inventions and copyright

• Which invention has transformed your country most?
• Would you like to be an inventor?
• How long should someone be able to profit from an idea?
• Do you think intellectual property laws are too strict?
• Should all medicines be free to manufacture?

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IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic #10: The internet and social media

• Which websites are popular among your generation?
• Is using the internet a social or solitary activity?
• How has the internet changed social behaviour?
• Should companies check job applicants’ online profiles?
• What will be the next big development online?

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Afraid of IELTS Speaking Part 2? Don’t be. Try to see it as a great chance to tell a little story about your life!

As these ten practice questions show, the topics in IELTS Speaking Part 2 are always familiar. All you need to do is tell the story using the correct tense, some linking words, and a few examples of natural collocation. That’s all the examiner wants to hear!

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You can download these IELTS Speaking Part 2 practice questions as a set of cards for classroom use. There is also some Useful Language for IELTS Speaking Part 2 here.

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Hints for IELTS Speaking Part 2

Hint #1: Pay careful attention to the verb tenses used in the question. Appropriate use of verb tense will have a big influence on your final score.

Hint #2: Identify the main topic and try to paraphrase it at least once. Demonstrating the ability to paraphrase is also a big factor in your final score.

Hint #3: Don’t worry too much about answering every single part of the question. The main thing is to speak for two minutes on the topic suggested by the card.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #1: Special person

Describe someone who has had a special influence on your life. You should say:

• Who the person is
• When you met this person
• What special qualities this person has

And explain how this person has influenced your life.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #2: Memorable journey

Describe a memorable journey you have made.

You should say:
• Where you went
• How long the journey lasted
• What happened during the journey

And say if you will ever make the same journey again.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #3: Study method

Describe a good study method you use.

You should say:
• What the method is
• Where you learned it
• Whether you think many other people use it

And explain why this method is effective for you.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #4: Sporting event

Describe a competitive sporting event you have attended.

You should say:
• When the event was held
• What happened
• Which team or player you supported

And explain why you think the winner was successful.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #5: Good leader

Describe someone you consider a good leader.

You should say:
• Who the person is
• How you know the person
• What the person’s style of leadership is like

And explain what makes this person a good leader, in your view.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #6: Difficult experience

Describe a difficult experience you have had in the past.

You should say:
• What happened
• Why it was difficult
• If you were able to overcome the difficulty

And explain what you learned from the experience.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #7: Future hobby

Describe a hobby you want to take up when you are much older.

You should say:
• What the hobby is
• What special equipment is needed, if any
• When you want to take it up

And explain why this is a suitable hobby for older people.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #8: Favourite photograph

Describe your favourite photograph.

You should say:
• What the photo shows
• Who took it
• Where it is kept now

And explain how you feel when you look at this photo.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #9: Useful tool

Describe a tool you use in your everyday life.

You should say:
• What the tool is
• What it is used for
• How often you use it

And say what you would do if you didn’t have this tool.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question #10: Internet business

Describe an internet business you would like to start.

You should say:
• What the business would be
• What it would involve
• How you would start it

And explain why you think the business would be successful.

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IELTS Speaking test this weekend? Try these 50 practice questions from Part 1 first. The questions cover ten common IELTS Speaking topics and hints are also provided. 

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You can also download these IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions as a set of cards for classroom use.

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Hints for IELTS Speaking Part 1

Hint #1: Remember that topics in IELTS Speaking Part 1 are always about you and your culture. It is not necessary to use complex academic vocabulary or provide very long answers. It is more important to demonstrate a natural use of English and give a clear, concise answer of 2-3 sentences.

Hint #2: There are ten IELTS Speaking topics here, but in Part 1 of the actual test you will only be asked four to eight questions, usually on two different topics. These 50 practice questions are designed to get you comfortable talking about a wide range of subjects you could face in the test.

Hint #3: Try asking these questions to a native speaker to see how they respond. It doesn’t matter if they have no knowledge of IELTS. Being natural is the most important thing in IELTS Speaking Part 1.  If you need more phrases to make your speech sound natural, our Useful Language for IELTS Speaking Part 1 is a great resource.

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IELTS Speaking Topic #1: You and IELTS

• Why are you taking IELTS?
• How many times have you taken IELTS?
• What do you enjoy about learning English?
• Is there anything you dislike about learning English?
• How will you use English in future?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #2: Lifestyle

• What do you do in your free time?
• Do you have a busy social life?
• Do you lead an active life?
• Has your life changed much in the last year?
• What would you like to change about your lifestyle?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #3: Family

• How many people are there in your immediate family?
• Who do you get on best with in your family?
• Do you have a large extended family?
• What do you do together with your family?
• Why is family important to you?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #4: Friends

• Do you have a lot of friends?
• Who is your best friend and why?
• Who would you most like to be friends with and why?
• What kind of person is it easy to make friends with?
• Who are more important to you, friends or family?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #5: Work

• Do you have a job right now?
• What did you want to be when you were a child?
• Are there good job opportunities in your home country?
• What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
• What skills and qualifications are required for this job?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #6: Hometown

• Where were you born?
• Do you consider this place your home?
• How important is your hometown to you?
• How many people live in your hometown?
• What is your hometown famous for?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #7: Books

• How many books do you have at home?
• Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them?
• What book would you take on a long journey?
• How easy is it to read books in English?
• Have you given up reading a book recently?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #8: Films

• How often do you go to the cinema?
• Are cinema tickets expensive in your country?
• What are the advantages of seeing a film at the cinema?
• Do you usually watch films alone or with others?
• Which actor would you like to play you in a film?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #9: Music

• How do you listen to music?
• Are your music tastes varied?
• Do you like to sing along to your favourite songs?
• Are you learning a musical instrument at the moment?
• Is live music popular in your country?

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IELTS Speaking Topic #10: Travel

• Where was the last place you visited on holiday?
• Would you like to go back there again?
• What kind of tourist destination do you usually prefer?
• Has a foreign visitor ever stayed at your home?
• What’s the best way to save money while travelling?

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