IELTS speaking – part 1 – sample questions
These are the 3 compulsory topics. You should be asked 4 questions about one of these topics.
The examiner has a number of possible questions to ask you. These sample questions will almost certainly not be asked in exactly this format, so you need to listen carefully to the exact question.
Notes
You should note:
- these questions are personal questions: try to give personal answers
- it is a mistake to give very short answers even though the questions are simple: try to give examples or explain your opinions
Work
Note the first question will be “Do you work are you a student?” see my advice on how to deal with this question.
Your job in general
- What job do you do?
- Have you always done this job?
- What do you do in a typical day at work?
- What responsibilities do you have?
How you feel about work
- Do you like your job?
- Would you say it’s an easy job?
- Is there anything that makes your job difficult?
- How important is your job to you?
- What types of jobs are most popular among young people in your country?
Education and work
- Did you prefer your life as a student or your life now?
- Did your education prepare you well for the work you are doing now?
Teamwork and colleagues
- Do you need to work with other people at work?
- Do you prefer working alone or with others
- How well do you get on with your colleagues?
- Do you do anything with your colleagues after work?
The future
- What are your plans for the future?
- Are you planning to change your job?
- Would you ever consider changing your job?
- How might your industry change in the future?
- Why are you taking the IELTS test?
Education
Your education in general
- What subject are you studying?
- Why did you choose to study that?
- Do you like your subject? (Why)
- Is it a difficult subject to study?
Your schooldays (the past)
- What kind of school did you go to?
- What was your favourite subject at school?
- Who was your favourite teacher?
Place of study
- Where do you study?
- Why did you choose that school/university?
- What do you think of your school/university?
- What is the best thing about your university/school?
Your course and method of study
- When did you start this course and when will you finish it?
- Which part of the course do you enjoy most?
- What is the most difficult/easiest part of the course?
- How do you study this subject?
- What skills have you learned in your studies?/What skills are needed to study your subject?
Student life
- Do you like life at school/university?
- What part of university life do you like best?
- How have you benefited from being at school/university apart from gaining knowledge?
- What facilities are there at your school/university to help you in your studies?
Educational system
- What is the educational system like in your country?
- How do you think the system might change in the future?
The future
- What are your future study plans?
- How do you think your studies in school/university will prepare you for your job in the future?
- What is your career plan after you graduate?
- Do you think you will prefer having a job to being a student?
- Why are you taking the IELTS test?
Your home
Your home in general
- Do you live in a house or a flat?
- How long have you lived there?
- Where did you live before [if you have only lived there a short time]
- Who do you live with?
- Can you describe your home a little.
- Do you like your flat/house?
Houses and flats
- Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
- What are the advantages of living in a flat/house?
The rooms
- What’s your favourite room in your home?
- How is this room decorated?
- What do you do in this room?
The area you live in
- What can you see through the windows of your home?
- What is the environment like around your home?
- What facilities are there near your home?
- Is it easy to travel to and from your home?
- Do you think it’s a good area to live in?
- Would you recommend that as a good place to live?
Change
- Would you consider moving to live somewhere else?
- Is there anything about your home you would like to improve?
Your hometown
Vocabulary
For vocabulary to help you with this task try Home town vocabulary and ideas
General
- Where do you live?
- Have you always lived there?
- How long have you been living there?
- Where do you come from?
The place
- Do you live in the city or the countryside?
- What kind of a place is it?
- Is it a large city or a small town?
- Has it changed much in the past few years?
Feeling about hometown
- Do you like living there?
- Is there anything you dislike about living there?
- Would you recommend it as somewhere to live?
Places and people
- What’s your favourite place in your hometown?
- What do people do in your hometown?
- Is it easy to travel around in your hometown?
The future
- Do you plan to stay there all your life?
- Would you ever consider living somewhere else?
- How long do you think you will continue to live there?
- How do you think it might change in the future?
IELTS speaking topics – part 2
This is a selection of sample cue cards for IELTS part 2 speaking. To help you I have divided them into six topics you need to be able to speak about. Please note how some questions ask you to use either the present, future or past tenses.
- people
- places
- objects
- habits and likes (or present tense questions)
- plans (or future aspect questions)
- experiences (or past tense/present perfect questions)
You will find many more cue cards free to download on my downloads page.
People
An adventurous person
Describe an adventurous person who you know.
You should say:
- who the person is
- how you know this person
- what this person does that is adventurous
and explain why you think this person likes to take risks.
lesson with sample answer and helpful vocabulary
A childhood friend
Describe a friend you had when you were a child
You should say:
- how you first met
- how long you were friends
- what you used to do together
and explain why you liked this person.
An old person
Describe an old person you admire.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how long you have known him/her
- what qualities he/she has
and say why you admire him/her
A good cook
Describe someone you know who is good at cooking.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him or her
- what kinds of food they cook
and explain why this person is good at cooking
Places
A house or apartment
Talk about a house or an apartment you would like to live in.
You should say
- what it would look like
- how big it would be
- where it would be located
And explain why you would like to live there
see lesson for sample answer and helpful vocabulary
Travel
Describe a place that you would like to travel to.
You should say:
- where you would like to go
- how you would go there
- who you would go with
and explain why you would like to go to this place.
A restaurant
Describe a restaurant you know.
You should say:
- where this restaurant is
- what type of food the restaurant serves
- how often you go to this restaurant
and explain why you would recommend this restaurant.
A hotel
Describe a hotel you have stayed in.
You should say:
- where it is
- what facilities it has
- when you stayed there
and say whether you would recommend it to a friend
A garden
Describe a garden you remember visiting.
You should say:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what people do there
and explain why you remember it.
Objects
A magazine
Describe a magazine you think is interesting
You should say:
- how you know about this magazine
- where you can buy it
- what it contains
and explain why you think this magazine is interesting.
A photograph
Describe a photograph that you remember.
You should say:
- when it was taken
- who took it
- what is in the photograph
and explain why you remember this photograph
A letter
Describe an important letter that you received.
You should say:
- who wrote it
- what the letter was about
- how you felt about the letter
and explain why it was important.
Clothes
Describe your favourite item of clothing.
You should say:
- what it is
- when you bought it
- why you bought it
and say why you like it so much.
Habits and likes/the present
Leisure time
Describe what you usually do in your leisure time.
You should say:
- who you do this with
- where you do it
- how you do it
and explain why you like to spend your free time this way.
A skill
Describe a practical skill you have.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- how often you use it
- who taught it to you
and explain why the skill is so practical
A television programme
Describe a television programme you watched and did not enjoy.
You should say:
- what this programme was
- where and when you watched it
- what it was about
and explain why you did not enjoy it
Lesson with sample talk to listen to and help with vocabulary
A book
Describe a book you are reading
You should say
- what the book is about
- when you read it
- how long you read it for
and explain what you like about the book
Plans/the future
A country
Describe a country you plan to visit.
You should say:
- what the country is
- when you plan to go there
- who you would like to travel with
and explain why you would like to go there.
Shopping
Describe something special you want to buy in the future.
You should say:
- what it is
- what it is like
- when you intend to buy it
and explain why you want to buy it.
Experiences/The past
A wedding
Describe a wedding you attended
You should say
- when it was
- who got married
- what happened at the wedding
And explain whether it was a typical wedding ceremony
sample answer with advice on how to extend your answer
A decision
Describe an important decision that you made
You should say:
- what the decision was
- how you made your decision
- what the results of the decision were
and explain why it was important.
A musical event
Describe a musical event in your country
You should say
- What the event it is
- Where it takes place
- What kind of music is played
And you should explain why you enjoy it
A news story
Describe some interesting news that you have recently read about or heard about
You should say:
- what the story was
- who was involved in the story
- where you read or heard about this story
and explain why this news story was interesting to you.
A sample version and help with vocabulary
A decision
Describe an important decision that you made
You should say:
- what the decision was
- how you made your decision
- what the results of the decision were
and explain why it was important.
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