IELTS speaking topics and questions for 2026 (Parts 1, 2 and 3)
104 practice questions in the format of the real test: Part 1 interview topics, Part 2 cue cards, and the Part 3 discussion questions that follow each card. Plus the official format and criteria, a model answer and a plan.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 14 min read
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IELTS Speaking format and scoring
IELTS Speaking (source: ielts.org)
- Length
- 11–14 minutes
- Format
- Face-to-face with an examiner, recorded
- Part 1
- 4–5 minutes: introduction and questions on familiar topics
- Part 2
- 3–4 minutes: 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes; then one or two questions
- Part 3
- 4–5 minutes: discussion of broader issues linked to Part 2
- Criteria
- Fluency and coherence · Lexical resource · Grammatical range and accuracy · Pronunciation
- Score
- Band 0–9, in half bands
What the criteria mean in practice. Fluency and coherence: speaking without long pauses, with ideas that connect. Lexical resource: the range and accuracy of your vocabulary. Grammatical range and accuracy: using a variety of structures correctly. Pronunciation: being easy to understand, with natural stress and intonation.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics and questions
Part 1 questions are about you. Answer in 2–3 sentences: a direct answer plus a reason or a detail. Don’t give one-word answers, and don’t give a speech.
1.Work or studies
- Do you work or are you a student?
- Why did you choose that job or subject?
- What do you like most about it?
- What would you like to do in the future?
2.Your hometown
- Where is your hometown?
- What do you like about living there?
- Has it changed much in recent years?
- Would you recommend it to visitors? Why?
3.Your home
- Do you live in a house or an apartment?
- Which room do you spend the most time in?
- What would you change about your home?
- Would you like to live somewhere else in the future?
4.Daily routine
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- Are you a morning person or a night person?
- Has your routine changed recently?
- What part of the day do you enjoy most?
5.Food
- What kind of food do you like?
- Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
- Can you cook?
- Is there any food you didn’t like as a child but like now?
6.Mobile phones
- How often do you use your phone?
- What do you mainly use it for?
- Could you live without a smartphone for a week?
- Do you think children should have phones?
7.Weather
- What’s the weather like where you live?
- What’s your favourite season? Why?
- Does the weather affect your mood?
- Do you check the weather forecast?
8.Music
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- When do you usually listen to music?
- Did you learn a musical instrument as a child?
- Has your taste in music changed over the years?
9.Friends
- How often do you see your friends?
- What do you like doing together?
- Do you prefer having a few close friends or many friends?
- Have you kept any friends from childhood?
10.Travel
- Do you like travelling?
- Where did you go on your last trip?
- Do you prefer travelling alone or with others?
- Is there a place you’d really like to visit?
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue cards, with Part 3 questions
Each cue card is followed by the kind of Part 3 discussion questions the examiner asks next. Practise them together, as in the real test: one minute of notes, two minutes of speaking, then the discussion. For more cue cards, sample answers you can listen to and a Part 2 timer that records you, see our IELTS cue cards page. To practise all three parts in one go, with timers, take the free IELTS speaking mock test.
1.Describe a person who has influenced you
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they have done
- and explain why they influenced you
Part 3 follow-up
- What qualities make someone a good role model?
- Do celebrities have a positive or negative influence on young people?
- Who has more influence on children today: parents or friends?
2.Describe a place you visited that you liked
You should say:
- where it is
- when you went there
- what you did there
- and explain why you liked it
Part 3 follow-up
- Why do people like to travel to new places?
- How does tourism affect local communities?
- Will people travel more or less in the future?
3.Describe a skill you would like to learn
You should say:
- what the skill is
- how you would learn it
- how long it would take
- and explain why you want to learn it
Part 3 follow-up
- Is it better to learn skills from a teacher or online?
- Which skills will be most important in the future?
- Should schools teach more practical skills?
4.Describe a book or film that you enjoyed
You should say:
- what it was
- when you read or watched it
- what it was about
- and explain why you enjoyed it
Part 3 follow-up
- Do people read less than they used to?
- Why are film adaptations of books so popular?
- What can children learn from stories?
5.Describe a time you helped someone
You should say:
- who you helped
- what the situation was
- how you helped
- and explain how you felt afterwards
Part 3 follow-up
- Are people less helpful to strangers than in the past?
- Should schools teach children to volunteer?
- Why do some people find it hard to ask for help?
6.Describe a piece of technology you use every day
You should say:
- what it is
- how often you use it
- what you use it for
- and explain how your life would change without it
Part 3 follow-up
- How has technology changed the way people communicate?
- Do older people find new technology difficult? Why?
- Is technology making people less social?
7.Describe a goal you hope to achieve
You should say:
- what the goal is
- when you set it
- what you are doing to achieve it
- and explain why it is important to you
Part 3 follow-up
- Is it important to set goals? Why?
- Should parents choose goals for their children?
- What makes people give up on their goals?
8.Describe a celebration in your country
You should say:
- what it is
- when it happens
- how people celebrate it
- and explain why it is important
Part 3 follow-up
- Are traditional celebrations still important today?
- How have celebrations changed in your country?
- Do festivals bring people closer together?
9.Describe a time you were late for something important
You should say:
- what it was
- why you were late
- what happened as a result
- and explain how you felt
Part 3 follow-up
- Is being on time more important in some cultures than others?
- How can people manage their time better?
- Is it ever acceptable to be late?
10.Describe a teacher you remember well
You should say:
- who the teacher was
- what subject they taught
- what they were like
- and explain why you remember them
Part 3 follow-up
- What makes a good teacher?
- Will online teaching replace classroom teachers?
- Should teachers be paid more?
11.Describe a meal you enjoyed
You should say:
- where you had it
- who you were with
- what you ate
- and explain why you enjoyed it
Part 3 follow-up
- How have eating habits changed in your country?
- Is fast food a problem? Why?
- Should cooking be taught in schools?
12.Describe a decision that changed your life
You should say:
- what the decision was
- when you made it
- how you made it
- and explain how it changed your life
Part 3 follow-up
- Do young people make important decisions too quickly?
- Who should young people ask for advice?
- Are big decisions harder to make today than in the past?
13.Describe a hobby you enjoy
You should say:
- what it is
- when you started it
- how often you do it
- and explain why you enjoy it
Part 3 follow-up
- Why are hobbies important for adults?
- Do people have less free time than before?
- Can a hobby become a career?
14.Describe a city you would like to live in
You should say:
- which city it is
- how you know about it
- what you would do there
- and explain why you would like to live there
Part 3 follow-up
- What are the advantages of living in a big city?
- Why do many young people move to cities?
- How can cities be made better places to live?
15.Describe an advertisement you remember
You should say:
- what it was for
- where you saw it
- what it showed
- and explain why you remember it
Part 3 follow-up
- Do advertisements influence what people buy?
- Should advertising aimed at children be limited?
- How has advertising changed with social media?
16.Describe a time you used English outside the classroom
You should say:
- when it was
- who you spoke to
- what you talked about
- and explain how you felt about it
Part 3 follow-up
- Why do so many people learn English?
- What is the best age to learn a foreign language?
- Will translation apps make learning languages unnecessary?
A model Part 2 answer
Cue card: Describe a skill you would like to learn.
A skill I’d really like to learn is cooking, and I mean proper cooking, not just making instant noodles. At the moment I can make tea and a few basic dishes, but whenever I try anything more ambitious, it usually ends in disaster.
I think the best way for me to learn would be a mix of online videos and practice with my mother, who is an excellent cook. Videos are great for learning techniques step by step, but I’d need someone next to me to tell me when something smells wrong or when to add the spices.
Realistically, I think it would take me about six months to feel confident. I’d start with simple everyday meals, like dal and rice, and then move on to dishes for special occasions.
The main reason I want to learn is independence. I’m planning to study abroad next year, and I don’t want to live on takeaways, which are expensive and not very healthy. And to be honest, I think cooking for friends would be a great way to meet people in a new country.
Why it works: it covers every point on the card in order, uses natural linking phrases (“to be honest”, “realistically”), adds personal details and reasons, and lasts about two minutes at a calm pace.
IELTS Speaking tips that raise your band
- Extend every answer in Part 1 with a reason or an example, but keep it to 2–3 sentences.
- Use the full minute in Part 2 to write a few keywords for each point, not full sentences.
- Keep talking for the two minutes. If you run out of ideas, add a story, a comparison or how you feel about it.
- In Part 3, give opinions with reasons and consider the other side: “On the other hand…”, “It depends on…”.
- Don’t memorise answers. Memorised speech usually sounds unnatural and often doesn’t quite answer the question asked. Practise structures and vocabulary for common topics instead.
- Ask if you didn’t understand: “Could you repeat the question, please?” is fine.
- Pronunciation is about clarity, not accent. Work on word stress and how words link: see word stress and linking sounds.
A 4-week IELTS Speaking practice plan
- Week 1: Part 1. Answer two topics a day out loud, recorded. Listen back for one-word answers and long pauses.
- Week 2: Part 2. One cue card a day with a 1-minute timer for notes and a 2-minute timer for speaking.
- Week 3: Part 3. Add the follow-up questions after each card. Practise giving a reason, an example and the other side.
- Week 4: full tests. Three complete mock tests (Parts 1, 2 and 3 together), ideally with a partner or an AI tutor playing the examiner.
Frequently asked questions
What topics come up in IELTS Speaking?
Part 1 covers familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, hometown, food and hobbies. Part 2 asks you to describe a person, place, object, event or experience from a cue card, and Part 3 discusses broader issues linked to that Part 2 topic.
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
It takes 11 to 14 minutes in three parts: Part 1 lasts 4 to 5 minutes, Part 2 lasts 3 to 4 minutes including one minute of preparation, and Part 3 lasts 4 to 5 minutes.
How is IELTS Speaking scored?
Examiners assess four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. You receive a band score from 0 to 9, which can include half bands.
Is IELTS Speaking the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. The Speaking test has the same format and topics for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
How long should my IELTS Part 2 answer be?
Aim to speak for the full two minutes. The examiner will stop you when the time is up, so cover every point on the cue card and add details, examples and feelings to fill the time naturally.
How can I practise IELTS Speaking at home?
Answer Part 1 questions and cue cards out loud with a timer, record yourself and listen for pauses and repeated mistakes, then practise full tests with a partner or an AI tutor who can ask follow-up questions like an examiner.
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