For students who would like some extra practice, here is a long list of IELTS speaking questions, organised by topic. Link to PDF file
Family & Relationships
Part 1
- Tell me something about your family.
- What do you like doing most with your family?
- Who are you close to in your family?
- In what way is your family important to you?
Part 2
Describe a close friend.
You should say:
- How long you have known this person
- How you met
- What kind of person he/she is
- And explain why you like him/her.
Part 3
- In what ways have families changed in the last hundred years?
- Should we rely heavily on our families or is it better to try to be independent?
- The elderly are sometimes considered the wisest members of society. What do you think we can learn from them?
- What do you expect from a good friend?
- Are friends as important to you as family?
- Do you think friendships change as we get older? How?
Health and Sport
Part 1
- What do you do to keep fit?
- Are you good at sport?
- What sports do you play?
- What is the most popular sport in your country?
Part 2
Describe an exciting competition or sporting event you have witnessed.
You should say:
- What the competition or sporting event was
- When and where it took place
- Who won
- And explain why it was exciting.
Part 3
- What are the best ways to keep fit?
- Do you think most people consider exercise a chore or do they find it fun?
- What is the most popular form of exercise in your country?
- Do you think people in your country are less healthy than they used to be?
- How can we encourage young people to stay healthy?
- Should governments intervene to force people to be healthier?
Studies and Work
Part 1
- Do you work or are you a student?
- Why did you choose that course or job?
- What is the most difficult thing about your studies or job?
Part 2
Describe your dream job.
You should say:
- What qualifications or experience you would need
- What the job would involve
- What you think the most difficult thing about the job would be
- And explain why it is your dream job.
Part 3
- Do you think science subjects are more useful than arts subjects?
- Are students mature enough to choose what to study themselves or should their parents decide for them?
- In your country, does having a university education help you into a better career?
- Do you think older or younger workers are more motivated?
- How can managers increase motivation among their workforce?
- Are people more motivated if their job involves helping others?
Environment
Part 1
- Tell me about your country’s climate.
- What’s your favourite kind of weather?
- Does the weather influence your mood?
- Is it worse to feel too hot or too cold?
Part 2
Describe your favourite season.
You should say:
- What the season is and when it occurs
- What the weather is like during this season
- What your typical activities are during this season
- And explain why it is your favourite season.
Part 3
- Are people in your country concerned about protecting the environment?
- Does the responsibility for protecting the environment lie with governments or with individuals?
- Does it help to educate young people on being green?
- What effects does pollution have on the environment?
- Do you think we pollute more now than we did 50 years ago?
- What do you think will happen if we do not reduce current levels of pollution?
Communication
Part 1
- What’s your mother tongue?
- What other languages do you speak?
- What do you think is the best way to keep in touch with friends?
- Do people keep in touch differently now compared to 50 years ago?
Part 2
Describe a language other than English that you would like to learn.
You should say:
- What the language is
- Where it is spoken
- What you think would be difficult and what would be easy about learning the language.
- And explain why you would like to learn it.
Part 3
- Is it considered important in your country to learn foreign languages?
- What, in your opinion, is the best way to learn a language?
- Why are some people seemingly better at learning languages than others?
- How do people in your country feel about English being the world language?
- Do you think the culture of English-speaking countries, as well as the English language, dominate the world?
- Why do you think people feel it is important to continue to speak their local languages?
Technology
Part 1
- What do you use the internet for?
- Does everyone have access to the internet in your country?
- Do you think older people are scared of new technology?
- Do you think young children should have mobile phones?
Part 2
Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.
You should say:
- What the piece of equipment is
- When and where you got it
- What you use it for
- And explain why you find it useful
Part 3
- What have been the most significant technological developments of recent years?
- In what ways have these developments changed society for the better and for the worse?
- Are people in your country nostalgic about life before technology?
- Why do you think some people claim scientists interfere too much with nature?
- Do you have anything against animal testing?
- Is scientific progress always for the greater good?
Hobbies
Part 1
- What are your hobbies?
- What is your favourite musical instrument?
- Do you prefer action films or comedies? Why?
- Do you think it is important to read novels and poetry? Why?
Part 2
Describe a hobby you enjoy.
You should say:
- How long you have been doing it
- How often you do it
- What benefits you get from it
- And explain why you enjoy it.
Part 3
- Do you think men and women tend to have different types of hobbies?
- Why do some people get obsessed with their hobby?
- Do you think hobbies that keep you fit are better than hobbies that you can do sitting down?
- Do you think it can be a disadvantage to have too much free time?
- Should people feel a duty to do something constructive in their free time?
- Do people have more free time now than in the past?
Childhood
Part 1
- What is your most vivid childhood memory?
- Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?
- What was your favourite toy when you were a child?
- Is it important for children to have fun? Why?
Part 2
Describe a happy childhood memory.
You should say:
- When and where the incident you remember happened
- Who you were with
- What happened exactly
- And explain why it is a happy memory.
Part 3
- Do you think people often idealize their childhoods?
- How does a person’s childhood influence what kind of adult they become?
- When does a child become an adult, in your opinion?
- Do you agree with the saying, “Children should be seen and not heard”?
- Is it good for children to be exposed to frightening and sad experiences or should they be protected from these as far as possible?
- Are children in your country generally well brought up?
Home
Part 1
- Tell me about your hometown.
- In what ways has your town or city changed since you were a child?
- How could your town or city be improved?
- Are there any traffic problems where you live?
Part 2
Describe a place that you enjoy visiting.
You should say:
- Where that place is
- What you can see and do there
- How it has changed since you first visited it
- And explain why you enjoy visiting this place.
Part 3
- Is it only children who experience homesickness?
- Do you think it’s better for children to grow up in the city or the country?
- Why do some people retire to the countryside?
- Are people from your country patriotic?
- Why do people often feel proud of where they come from?
- Does intense patriotism have any disadvantages?
Culture
Part 1
- What is the most important festival in your country?
- Do you think this festival will still be as important in the future?
- Tell me how weddings are celebrated in your country.
- What are some forms of traditional dancing in your country?
Part 2
Describe a festival that you enjoy.
You should say:
- When the festival occurs
- Where it occurs
- What happens during it
- And explain why you enjoy the festival.
Part 3
- Are historical sites in your country popular with visitors?
- Is it more important to preserve historical sites or make way for the developments of the future?
- What do you think will happen to your country’s historical sites in the future?
- What is ‘culture’ to you?
- Do you think that it is important for a society or culture to have a sense of continuity with the past?
- How will your country’s culture have change in fifty years’ time?
Travel
Part 1
- Is your country popular with tourists?
- What sights or activities would you recommend to a tourist visiting your town or region?
- Do you enjoy active holidays?
- Tell me what your ideal holiday would be.
Part 2
Describe a memorable holiday.
You should say:
- When you went on this holiday
- Where you went
- What you did
- And explain why it is memorable.
Part 3
- Do you think it’s true that travel broadens the mind?
- Do young people and older people benefit differently from travelling?
- How can you make sure you get the most from your travels?
- What are the positive impacts of tourism?
- What about the negative impacts of tourism?
- How has tourism impacted tourist sites in your country?