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Parts 1, 2 & 3

IELTS Speaking Test Topics & Questions

Short answer: the IELTS Speaking test has three parts. Part 1 asks everyday questions on about three topics, Part 2 gives you one cue card to talk about for up to 2 minutes, and Part 3 discusses wider questions on the same theme. Below are all 20 Part 1 topics with 80 questions, and 128 Part 2 cue cards with their Part 3 questions.

Answer them out loud, markedCue cards with Band 9 answers

Part 1 topics and questions

Part 1 opens with whether you work or study, then moves to two more everyday topics. Answer in two or three sentences: a reason and an example, not a speech. Practise Part 1 recorded and marked.

Your studies

  • Do you work, or are you a student?
  • What subject are you studying, and why did you choose it?
  • What do you enjoy most about your studies?
  • Is there anything about your course you would change?

Your work

  • Do you work, or are you a student?
  • What do you do for a living, and how long have you been doing it?
  • What is the most interesting part of your job?
  • Would you like to change your job in the future? Why?

Your hometown

  • Where is your hometown, and what is it like?
  • What do you like most about living there?
  • Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?
  • Would you recommend it to someone visiting your country? Why?

Where you live

  • Do you live in a house or an apartment?
  • Which is your favourite room, and why?
  • Is there anything you would like to change about your home?
  • Would you prefer to live somewhere else in the future?

Free time

  • What do you usually do in your free time?
  • Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with other people?
  • Has the way you spend your free time changed in recent years?
  • Do you think people in your country have enough free time?

Learning and skills

  • What is something new you have learned recently?
  • Do you prefer learning on your own or being taught by someone?
  • Is there a skill you would like to learn in the future?
  • Do you think it is harder to learn new things as an adult?

Celebrations and festivals

  • What is the most important festival in your country?
  • How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
  • Do you prefer big celebrations or small ones?
  • Have celebrations in your country changed since you were young?

Photographs

  • Do you like taking photographs?
  • Do you prefer taking photos of people or of places?
  • How do you keep the photos you take?
  • Has the way people take photographs changed in your lifetime?

Animals and nature

  • Are there many animals where you live?
  • Did you ever have a pet when you were a child?
  • Do you enjoy spending time outdoors in nature?
  • Do you think children should learn more about wild animals?

Future plans

  • What are your plans for the next few years?
  • Do you like to plan things in advance, or decide at the last minute?
  • Is there somewhere you would like to travel to in the future?
  • Do you think your plans will change much as you get older?

Food and cooking

  • What kind of food do you enjoy most?
  • Do you cook at home, or do you prefer to eat out?
  • Did you learn to cook when you were a child?
  • Have eating habits in your country changed in recent years?

Music

  • What kind of music do you like to listen to?
  • When during the day do you usually listen to music?
  • Did you learn a musical instrument at school?
  • Do you think musical tastes change as people get older?

Travel and transport

  • How do you usually get around your city?
  • Do you enjoy long journeys?
  • Is public transport good where you live?
  • How do you think people will travel fifty years from now?

Weather and seasons

  • What is the weather usually like where you live?
  • Which season do you enjoy most, and why?
  • Does the weather ever change your plans?
  • Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?

Reading

  • Do you read much in your free time?
  • What kind of books or articles do you prefer?
  • Did your parents read to you when you were a child?
  • Do you think people read less now than they used to?

Phones and technology

  • How often do you use your mobile phone?
  • What do you use it for most?
  • Was it difficult to learn to use a smartphone?
  • Do you think people spend too much time on their phones?

Shopping

  • Do you enjoy shopping?
  • Do you prefer shopping online or in shops?
  • Who does most of the shopping in your household?
  • Has the way people shop changed much in your country?

Friends

  • Do you have a large group of friends or a few close ones?
  • How do you usually keep in touch with your friends?
  • Have you known your friends for a long time?
  • Is it easy to make new friends where you live?

Daily routine

  • What time do you usually get up?
  • Are you more productive in the morning or the evening?
  • Has your daily routine changed much in the last year?
  • Do you think having a fixed routine is important?

Sport and exercise

  • Do you play any sports?
  • Do you prefer watching sport or taking part in it?
  • Did you do much exercise at school?
  • Do you think people in your country exercise enough?

Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 questions, by theme

Each Part 2 card leads into a Part 3 discussion on the same theme. Two of its Part 3 questions are shown here; open the card for the model answer and the full set. Practise Part 3 recorded and marked.

People (27)

Describe a Person You Admire
  • Why do you think some people become role models?
  • Do celebrities make good role models?
Describe a Friend You Have Known for a Long Time
  • How do friendships change as people get older?
  • Are online friendships as real as face-to-face ones?
Describe a Family Member You Spend Time With
  • How have families in your country changed over the past few decades?
  • Do you think it's better to grow up in a large family or a small one?
Describe an Intelligent Person You Know
  • What kinds of intelligence do you think are most valued in your country?
  • Do you think intelligence is something people are born with, or can it be developed?
Describe a Person Who Helped You
  • Why do you think some people are more willing to help others than others are?
  • Is it easier to ask for help from family or from friends?
Describe an Interesting Old Person
  • What can younger generations learn from older people?
  • Do you think older people are respected enough in your country?
Describe a Child You Know
  • What qualities do you think make a good parent?
  • Do you think it's better for children to grow up in a city or in the countryside?
Describe a Person Who Is Good at Their Job
  • What do you think makes someone good at their job?
  • Are qualifications more important than experience?
Describe a Person Who Dresses Well
  • Why do some people care so much about fashion?
  • Do you think the way we dress affects how others treat us?
Describe a Leader You Respect
  • What qualities do you think a good leader should have?
  • Are leaders born or made?
Describe a Neighbour You Know
  • How have relationships between neighbours changed over the years?
  • Do you think people in the countryside are friendlier with their neighbours than people in cities?
Describe a Person Who Taught You Something
  • What qualities make someone a good teacher?
  • Do you think some things are better learned from experience than from a teacher?
Describe a Person You Would Like to Work With
  • What qualities make someone a good colleague?
  • Is it better to work with friends or with strangers?
Describe a Famous Person
  • Why are some people so attracted to fame?
  • Do famous people have a responsibility to behave well?
Describe a Person Who Encouraged You to Achieve a Goal
  • Why do some people need encouragement from others to achieve things?
  • Is it better to motivate people with rewards or with encouragement?
Describe a Funny Person You Know
  • Why is a sense of humour important in life?
  • Do people from different cultures find the same things funny?
Describe a Creative Person You Admire
  • Do you think creativity can be taught?
  • Why do some people think creativity is declining in modern society?
Describe a Person You Enjoy Talking With
  • What makes someone a good communicator?
  • Do people have fewer face-to-face conversations than in the past?
Describe a Person Who Speaks a Foreign Language Well
  • What is the best way to learn a foreign language?
  • Why do some people learn languages more easily than others?
Describe a Person You Know Who Works in the Medical Field
  • Why do people choose careers in medicine?
  • Are doctors paid enough in your country?
Describe a Person Who Faced Difficulties but Succeeded
  • Why do some people give up more easily than others?
  • Is success mostly about hard work or luck?
Describe a Person You Know Who Likes to Grow Plants
  • Why do people enjoy gardening?
  • Is it important for children to learn where food comes from?
Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know
  • What qualities do successful businesspeople have?
  • Is it better to work for yourself or for a company?
Describe a Person You Only Met Once and Want to Know More About
  • Why do people find it easy to talk to strangers?
  • Are first impressions usually accurate?
Describe a Person You Know Who Is Very Organized
  • Are organised people more successful?
  • Can people learn to be more organised?
Describe a Person Who Is Good at Making Things by Hand
  • Why do people value handmade objects?
  • Are traditional crafts disappearing?
Describe a Person You Know Who Really Likes Taking Photos
  • Why do people take so many photographs now?
  • Has photography become less special?

Places (23)

Describe a Place You Visited on Holiday
  • Why do people like to travel?
  • Do you think tourism benefits local communities?
Describe a City You Would Like to Live In
  • What makes a city a good place to live?
  • What are the main problems of living in big cities?
Describe a Quiet Place You Like to Go
  • Why do you think people need quiet places in their lives?
  • Is it becoming harder to find quiet places in modern cities?
Describe a Crowded Place You Have Visited
  • Why do you think some people enjoy crowded places while others try to avoid them?
  • What kinds of problems can overcrowding cause in big cities?
Describe a Historical Place You Have Visited
  • Why do you think it's important to protect historical sites?
  • Do you think young people today are interested in history?
Describe a Park or Garden You Like
  • Why are parks and green spaces so important for people in cities?
  • Do you think most cities have enough green space?
Describe a Café or Restaurant You Like
  • Why do you think eating out has become so popular in recent years?
  • Do you think home-cooked food is healthier than restaurant food?
Describe a Shop You Like to Visit
  • Why do you think small local shops are struggling nowadays?
  • What are the main advantages of shopping online?
Describe a Place Near Water You Enjoy
  • Why do you think so many people feel relaxed near water?
  • Should cities invest more in their rivers and waterfronts?
Describe a Place You Would Recommend to Tourists
  • Why do people enjoy travelling to other countries?
  • What are the main benefits of tourism for a country?
Describe a Building You Like
  • In your opinion, what makes a building beautiful?
  • Do you think old buildings should be preserved?
Describe a Place in the Countryside You Have Visited
  • Why do you think many people who live in cities enjoy visiting the countryside?
  • What are the disadvantages of living in a rural area?
Describe a Library or Museum You Have Visited
  • Why do you think museums are important for a society?
  • Do you think museums should be free to enter?
Describe a Place You Go to Relax
  • Why is it important for people to have a place where they can relax?
  • How do people in your country usually relax?
Describe a Street Market You Have Visited
  • Why do people still shop at street markets when supermarkets exist?
  • Do you think street markets will disappear in the future?
Describe a House or Apartment You Would Like to Live In
  • Is it better to rent or to buy a home?
  • Why do many people prefer houses to apartments?
Describe Your Favourite Room in Your Home
  • How do people in your country usually decorate their homes?
  • Why do some people feel more comfortable at home than anywhere else?
Describe a Tourist Attraction in Your Country
  • What are the benefits of tourism for a country?
  • What problems can too many tourists cause?
Describe a New Place You Visited Recently
  • Why do some people love visiting new places while others prefer familiar ones?
  • How do people decide which new places to visit these days?
Describe a City You Have Been to and Would Like to Visit Again
  • Why do people enjoy visiting cities rather than rural areas?
  • How has tourism changed cities?
Describe a Boring Place You Have Been To
  • Why do some people get bored more easily than others?
  • Is boredom always a bad thing?
Describe a Home You Like to Visit but Would Not Want to Live In
  • What makes a house feel like a home?
  • Do people in your country prefer houses or apartments?
Describe a Noisy Place You Have Been To
  • How does noise affect people’s health?
  • Are cities noisier than they used to be?

Objects (18)

Describe Something You Bought Recently
  • Do people buy more things now than in the past?
  • How does advertising influence what people buy?
Describe a Piece of Technology You Use
  • Has technology generally improved people's lives?
  • Are people too dependent on their phones?
Describe a Photo You Like
  • Why do people take so many photos nowadays?
  • Has smartphone photography changed the way we take pictures?
Describe a Gift You Gave or Received
  • Why do people give gifts?
  • Are handmade gifts better than bought ones?
Describe Something You Use Every Day
  • Do you think people today own more possessions than they used to?
  • Why do some people become so attached to their possessions?
Describe a Piece of Clothing You Like
  • Why do you think fashion matters so much to some people?
  • Do you think people spend too much money on clothes nowadays?
Describe Something You Would Like to Own
  • Do you think young people today are too materialistic?
  • Why do some people want to own luxury items?
Describe Something Handmade You Have Made or Received
  • Why do you think handmade gifts are often so meaningful?
  • Are traditional handicrafts dying out in modern society?
Describe a Souvenir You Bought
  • Why do people like to buy souvenirs when they travel?
  • Do you think souvenirs are becoming too commercialised?
Describe a Musical Instrument You Would Like to Play
  • Do you think children should be required to learn a musical instrument at school?
  • Why do you think so many people give up learning an instrument?
Describe Something You Lost
  • Why do you think some people are more forgetful than others?
  • Do you think people are more careless with their belongings these days?
Describe a Toy You Had in Childhood
  • How are the toys children play with today different from those in the past?
  • Do you think expensive toys are better for children?
Describe Something You Borrowed From Someone
  • Why do some people dislike borrowing things from others?
  • Is it a good idea to lend money to friends?
Describe an Old Object Your Family Has Kept
  • Why do people keep old objects even when they are no longer useful?
  • Is it better to preserve old things or replace them with new ones?
Describe a Piece of Furniture in Your Home
  • Do people in your country prefer traditional or modern furniture?
  • Why has cheap, mass-produced furniture become so popular?
Describe a Piece of Art You Like
  • Why do people enjoy looking at art?
  • Should governments spend public money on art?
Describe a Challenging Technological Problem You Faced
  • Why do many people find technology difficult?
  • Should schools teach children how to fix technical problems?
Describe an Item on Which You Spent More Money Than Expected
  • Why do people sometimes spend more than they plan to?
  • Is expensive always better quality?

Events (6)

Describe a Festival You Celebrate
  • Why are festivals important in a society?
  • Do you think traditional festivals are losing their meaning?
Describe a Wedding You Attended
  • Why do you think people spend so much money on weddings?
  • Are traditional weddings still popular in your country?
Describe a Party You Enjoyed
  • Why do people enjoy parties?
  • Do you think people socialise less in person than they used to?
Describe a Special Cake You Received From Others
  • Why is cake associated with celebrations in so many cultures?
  • Do you think homemade gifts are better than bought ones?
Describe a Live Sports Event You Watched and Liked
  • Why do people enjoy watching sport rather than playing it?
  • Is it better to watch sport live or on television?
Describe a Time When You Organized a Happy Event Successfully
  • What makes an event successful?
  • Do people in your country celebrate differently now than in the past?

Experiences (23)

Describe an Achievement You Are Proud Of
  • Why is it important for people to set goals?
  • Do you think people celebrate their achievements enough?
Describe a Memorable Journey You Took
  • Why do some people say the journey matters more than the destination?
  • How has the way people travel changed over time?
Describe a Time You Helped Someone
  • Why do some people hesitate to help strangers?
  • Should schools require students to do volunteer work?
Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
  • Should young people make their own important decisions?
  • Do people rely too much on advice from others?
Describe a Time You Were Late
  • Why do you think some people are always late?
  • Is punctuality more important in some situations than others?
Describe Your First Day at School or Work
  • Why do many people feel nervous when they start something new, like a job or a course?
  • How can schools help children feel more comfortable on their first day?
Describe a Time You Learned Something New
  • Why is it important for people to keep learning new things throughout their lives?
  • Do you think it's easier for children or adults to learn new skills?
Describe a Surprise You Received
  • Do most people enjoy receiving surprises?
  • Why do people go to so much trouble to organise surprise parties?
Describe a Time You Saved Money
  • Why do some people find it so difficult to save money?
  • Should schools teach children how to manage money?
Describe a Mistake You Learned From
  • Why do you think some people find it so hard to admit they're wrong?
  • Do you think we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes?
Describe a Competition You Took Part In
  • Why do you think people enjoy watching competitive sports so much?
  • Do you think competition in schools is healthy for children?
Describe a Time You Talked With a Foreigner
  • Why do you think it's useful to speak to people from other countries?
  • Do you think English will remain the main international language in future?
Describe a Memorable Weather Event
  • Do you think the weather has a big effect on people's daily lives?
  • Do you think the weather in your country has changed over the years?
Describe a Time You Waited for Something
  • Do you think people today are less patient than they used to be?
  • Why do so many people dislike waiting?
Describe a Promise You Made
  • Why is it important for people to keep their promises?
  • Do you think people make promises too easily nowadays?
Describe a Positive Change in Your Life
  • Why do some people find change difficult?
  • Do you think people can genuinely change their personality?
Describe a Time You Received Good News
  • Do people prefer to share good news or keep it private?
  • Is it better to deliver important news in person or by message?
Describe a Time When You Had to Change Your Plan
  • Why do people find changes of plan stressful?
  • Is it better to plan carefully or to be spontaneous?
Describe a Time When You Got Up Extremely Early
  • Why do some people prefer mornings and others evenings?
  • Do you think people get enough sleep nowadays?
Describe a Time When You Got Stuck in a Traffic Jam
  • What causes traffic congestion in cities?
  • How can governments reduce traffic?
Describe a Course That Impressed You a Lot
  • What makes a good teacher?
  • Is online learning as effective as classroom learning?
Describe an Experience You Had as a Member of a Team
  • What makes a team work well together?
  • Is it better to work alone or in a team?
Describe an Occasion When You Were Not Allowed to Use Your Mobile Phone
  • Do people spend too much time on their phones?
  • Should phones be banned in schools?

Activities & habits (13)

Describe a Skill You Want to Learn
  • Why do some adults find it hard to learn new skills?
  • Is there an ideal age to learn new skills?
Describe a Hobby You Enjoy
  • Why are hobbies important?
  • Do people have less time for hobbies nowadays?
Describe a Sport or Activity You Enjoy
  • Why is sport important for people?
  • Should sport be compulsory in schools?
Describe a Way You Relax
  • Why is it important for people to relax?
  • Do you think people today find it harder to relax than in the past?
Describe a Game You Played in Childhood
  • Why do children love playing games so much?
  • Do you think the games children play today are different from those in the past?
Describe an Exercise Routine You Follow
  • Why do you think some people find it hard to exercise regularly?
  • Should schools do more to encourage children to be physically active?
Describe a Dish You Like to Cook or Eat
  • Do you think cooking is an important skill for young people to learn?
  • Why do you think fast food has become so popular?
Describe Some Volunteer Work You Did
  • Why do you think people volunteer?
  • Should volunteering be compulsory for students?
Describe an Outdoor Activity You Enjoy
  • Why do you think outdoor activities are becoming more popular?
  • Do children spend enough time outdoors these days?
Describe a Creative Activity You Enjoy
  • Do you think everyone is creative, or only some people?
  • Why do some adults stop doing creative activities?
Describe Something You Do to Improve Your English
  • What is the most difficult part of learning a language?
  • Is it better to learn a language in a classroom or by yourself?
Describe a Part of Your Daily Routine You Enjoy
  • Why do people need routines?
  • Do you think having a fixed routine makes life boring?
Describe Something You Did to Learn Another Language
  • What is the best way to learn a language?
  • Is it harder to learn a language as an adult?

Media & abstract (13)

Describe a Book You Enjoyed Reading
  • Do you think people are reading less than before?
  • What are the benefits of reading for children?
Describe a TV Show You Enjoy Watching
  • Does television have educational value?
  • How has streaming changed the way people watch TV?
Describe a Goal You Want to Achieve
  • Why is it important to have goals?
  • Do people give up on their goals too easily?
Describe a Piece of Advice Someone Gave You
  • Why do people often ignore good advice?
  • Is advice from experience better than advice from books?
Describe a Movie You Enjoyed
  • Do you think cinemas will disappear because of streaming services?
  • Why do people enjoy films from other countries?
Describe a Song That Means Something to You
  • Why is music important to people?
  • Why can a song bring back memories so strongly?
Describe a Website or App You Use
  • What are the most popular apps in your country?
  • Do you think people rely too much on their phones?
Describe an Advertisement You Remember
  • What makes an advertisement effective?
  • Do advertisements tell the truth?
Describe a New Law You Would Implement in Your Country
  • Why do some people break laws they agree with?
  • Should laws be the same in every country?
Describe a Time When You Changed Your Opinion
  • Why do people find it hard to change their minds?
  • Is it a strength or a weakness to change your opinion?
Describe a Piece of Local News You Found Interesting
  • Is local news important?
  • Why are many local newspapers closing?
Describe a Message You Sent That Never Got a Reply
  • Why do people not reply to messages?
  • Is it rude not to reply?
Describe a Time When You Needed to Use Your Imagination
  • Is imagination important for adults as well as children?
  • Do you think technology reduces children’s imagination?

Nature (5)

Describe an Animal You Find Interesting
  • Why is it important to protect endangered animals?
  • Are zoos a good thing?
Describe a Season You Enjoy
  • How does weather affect people's moods?
  • Do people's lifestyles change with the seasons in your country?
Describe a Plant or Flower You Like
  • Why do people like keeping plants in their homes?
  • Do flowers have special meanings in your culture?
Describe a Kind of Weather You Like
  • Does weather affect how people behave?
  • Why do different people like different kinds of weather?
Describe a Law on Environmental Protection
  • Are environmental laws effective?
  • Who should be responsible for protecting the environment — individuals or governments?

IELTS Speaking topics — common questions

What topics come up in the IELTS Speaking test?

Part 1 asks short questions on everyday topics: work or study, your hometown, where you live, free time, food, music, travel and similar. Part 2 gives you one cue card, usually describing a person, place, object, event or experience. Part 3 is a discussion of wider questions linked to that Part 2 theme. This page lists 20 Part 1 topics and 128 cue cards.

How many parts and questions are in the IELTS Speaking test?

Three parts in 11–14 minutes. Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes and covers about three topics with a few questions each. Part 2 is one cue card: 1 minute to prepare and up to 2 minutes to speak. Part 3 is a 4–5 minute discussion.

Are the Speaking topics the same for Academic and General Training?

Yes. The Speaking test is identical for IELTS Academic and General Training, so every topic and question here applies to both.

Does IELTS publish the real Speaking questions?

No. The official question bank is not public. The Part 2 topics are widely reported to rotate in January, May and September; our forecast page tracks the topics reported for the current window.

Where are the answers to these questions?

Each cue card links to its own page with a Band 9 model answer, an idea map, vocabulary and all of its Part 3 questions with answers — 841 Part 3 questions in total.

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