IELTS Common Speaking Topics With Questions And Answers

To score high in the speaking section of the IELTS test, candidates need to understand the various questions they may encounter in each part of the test. It is important for study abroad aspirants to go through the latest IELTS speaking questions with answers to gain a better understanding of the difficulty level of the exam.

There are three parts to the IELTS speaking test, and the question patterns are different for each. Let’s discuss common IELTS speaking topics with answers and tips to score a high band in the speaking section.

IELTS Speaking Topics Part 1 Questions and Answers

The first part of the IELTS speaking test lasts 4-5 minutes. You may be asked to introduce yourself and even speak about 2-3 personal topics. Here are some examples of IELTS speaking questions and answers.

How do you spend your weekends?

On weekends, I usually spend time with my friends. We indulge in outdoor activities during summers, while we do more indoor activities during winters. We also play outdoor sports, visit museums, and go sightseeing.

Do you often listen to music?

I listen to music in my leisure time or while doing my household chores. I avoid listening to music while studying or working since I get distracted by it.

Have you always liked visiting museums?

I have always liked visiting museums since I appreciate art. It also helps me learn about history.

Have you ever changed cities?

Yes, I have changed cities often since my parents had transferable jobs. 

Have you ever been to an art gallery?

Yes, I have been to art galleries. I appreciate art and love spending my time in the art galleries during the weekend. 

Has your taste in music changed over the years?

Yes, it has. Earlier I liked listening to rock music a lot. However, now I prefer listening to classical music.

Do you have any hobbies you would like to change into your job?

I would like to keep these two separate. Practicing my hobbies every day can bring monotony and, thus, become boring.

Do you want to learn any musical instrument?

I want to learn guitar someday as I find the tune of the guitar fascinating.

Do you prefer a desktop or a laptop?

I prefer using a laptop since it is portable. I can carry it while traveling. Also, my work has become flexible with a laptop.

Do you prefer to email, phone, or text your friends?

Personally, I prefer to call my friends as I can speak to them at a stretch. I find it difficult to text or email.

Do you reply to emails as soon as you receive them?

I usually prioritize my reply to emails.  

Do you usually watch films at home or go to the cinema?

I am comfortable watching films at home. With the increase in OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar, there are ample options available for entertainment. 

Is there a musical instrument that you would like to learn to play?

I would like to learn to play the violin as it is considered the most difficult instrument to master. I like to challenge myself by aiming to ace tougher things.

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IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2 Questions and Answers

In the IELTS Speaking part 2, the examiner will give you 1-2 minutes to speak on certain topics. The IELTS speaking questions with answers are usually unpredictable, but most are about people, things, places, activities, and past events.

The examiner will give you a pen and a piece of paper with some questions written on it. You will get 1 minute to go through those questions and write down the points on the paper. You can answer based on the notes.

The questions asked in this part are simple. However, you can score high by using correct grammar and vocabulary. The second part of the speaking test lasts for 3-4 minutes.

Here are some examples of IELTS speaking questions with answers for part 2 of the test:-

Describe a movie actor who is also a philanthropist.

Keanu Reeves is a well-known actor who is also a philanthropist. He donates money anonymously to the children’s hospital. He has starred in movies such as John Wick and The Matrix Trilogy.

Describe an interesting place that you have been to recently.

I visited Mussoorie recently. It is a hill station located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. The place is surrounded by green hills, and I enjoyed the peaceful landscape and friendly hospitality.

Describe a popular tourist destination in your country.

Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in my country. It has beautiful sea beaches and old churches. The amazing Goan cuisine and the local culture are the other key attractions.

Describe a device that you would like to purchase in the future.

I would like to purchase a laptop in the future. The model that I am interested in is HP NV 15. The laptop has state-of-the-art features. Its performance is very good for graphic designing and playing games. 

Describe a song that you love.

One of the songs that I love is Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams. It is a song about youthful dreams and nostalgia. The singer is trying to remember the days when he formed a music band and fell in love. 

Describe your hobby.

My hobby is collecting comic books. I have a collection of more than 150 comic books, mostly from DC and Marvel. Most of them have my favorite comic book character, Spiderman. 

Describe your favorite festival.

My favorite festival is Dussehra. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Huge effigies of the demon king Ravana and his kin are burnt to celebrate the day when Ravana was killed by Lord Rama.

Describe an event that you attended.

A recent event that I attended was my college’s convocation. All of the graduating students sat in neat rows while the various awards and diplomas were presented by the chief guests. 

Describe a task that you successfully did.

In my college, as a part of my final project, I was asked to design a web page for my department. I started by gathering relevant content and took the help of my classmates. I then proceeded with designing the web page and finally getting it approved by our Head of Department.

Describe a well-known person you like or admire. 

The person I admire the most is our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He is one of the world's most hardworking and powerful leaders today. He has the best oratory skills and knowledge.

Describe a shop near where you live that you sometimes visit.

There is an antique store in the neighborhood that I visit often. The age-old antique items attract me into visiting the shop. 

Describe a gift that you gave to someone.

I recently gifted my colleague a book. It is a novel by Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez titled, ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’. The use of magic realism is something that fascinated me to buy the book as a present.

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IELTS Speaking Topics Part 3 Questions and Answers

The duration of part 3 is 4-5 minutes. You can use examples, reasons, and comparisons to answer the questions. You can use words and even phrases like, for instance, because, due to the fact, that, by contrast, such as, on the other hand, etc.

The questions in Part 3 are somewhat similar to Part 2. They relate to the topics discussed in part 2 of the speaking test. In the third part, you will be expected to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.

Below are some examples of IELTS speaking questions with answers:-

What kinds of people are famous in your country?

My country has many famous politicians, movie stars, and sports personalities. Some are cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, actor Amitabh Bachchan, and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

How are celebrities used to influence public opinion?

Celebrities and influential personalities can be used to endorse certain products or ideas to make them more popular. In addition, celebrities can use their social media to reach out to their fans and make them a part of a campaign. 

What kind of local businesses are there in your neighborhood?

My neighborhood has many small businesses such as grocery stores, hair salons, dry cleaners, restaurants, food stalls, etc. 

Do you think the shopping malls affect the local businesses?

Yes, the shopping malls siphon the customers from the local businesses and slowly put an economic burden on them. 

What are the advantages of running a business?

Running a business has several advantages: supporting the local economy, providing products to the local population, financial independence, and generating employment. 

What should a business person's qualities be to succeed in life?

A business person should be professional, courteous, honest, focused, customer-centric, and ambitious. 

What occasions do family members give gifts to one another in your country?

In my country, the occasions on which we exchange gifts include Diwali, Durga Puja, Christmas, Eid, birthdays, and anniversaries. 

What kind of gifts do children give to adults in their families?

The gifts may include greeting cards, handmade designs, plants, etc. For example, my siblings and I used to make cards for my parents and grandparents in my childhood.

How can hobbies positively influence people’s lives?

Hobbies can provide the much-needed ‘me time’ in our lives. They can give people a healthy outlet for their worries. For instance, when I feel stressed, I listen to music or go out for a walk.

Can you give me some examples of jobs that focus on helping people?

Some of these jobs that are dedicated to helping others include teaching, police officers, doctors, lawyers, workers at old age homes, etc.

What are some traditional art forms in your country?

Traditional Indian art forms have been handed down from one generation to the next, hoping to keep them alive for the times to come. Some traditional art forms of India are Folk and Tribal Art, Madhubani painting, Tanjore painting, Rajput painting, Gond painting, Warli painting, and miniature painting. 

Do people read more nowadays?

I can't say if people read more nowadays. But I can assure you that people read online more than offline. However, a section of readers still loves to buy books and magazines and read them. 

What type of media advertising do you like most?

I like those advertisements that have stories and the potential to inspire me.

These are just some of the common questions that you may be asked. You can listen to English podcasts to prepare well for the speaking test. Keep an eye out for the latest study materials including, IELTS speaking topics with answers. You must also start using new words and phrases regularly in your conversations.

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Here Are Additional IELTS Speaking Questions to Practice 

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Practice Questions 

• How important is your hometown to you?
• What is your country famous for?
• Do you enjoy your job?
• What was your first day at work like?
• What do you do in your free time?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice Questions 

• Describe an advertisement that convinced you to buy a product.
• Talk about a book you are reading now.
• Describe a business you want to start.
• Describe the organization you worked for in the past. 
• Talk about an important decision you recently took.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Practice Questions

• What are popular types of advertising in today’s world?
• How do people in your country feel about art?
• In your opinion, how will e-books affect paper books?
• What are the advantages of living in a city?
• What are the most popular electronic devices in today’s world?

Students must note that the above topics are merely examples, and the questions may vary. Achieving success in the IELTS speaking exam entails speaking with clarity, fluency, and confidence. 

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Vocabulary and Grammar Tips for IELTS Speaking

IELTS speaking can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and practice, you can achieve a high score.

Some of the top vocabulary tips that you can use to score well are:-

• Use synonyms and paraphrases to avoid repetition.
• Use collocations (words that naturally go together) to sound more natural.
• Focus on enhancing your vocabulary. You can learn synonyms of various commonly used words to showcase the depth of your vocabulary range.

Some of the Grammar tips for accuracy and complexity are:-

• Use various sentence structures, like simple, compound, and complex.
• Use verb tenses correctly to show time and the sequence of events.
• Use linking words (e.g., however, therefore) to connect ideas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Speaking

It is important to avoid mistakes to achieve a high score in the IELTS speaking test.

Some of the frequent errors in the speaking section of the IELTS are:-

• Incorrect grammar (e.g., subject-verb agreement, tense errors).
• Limited vocabulary (e.g., overuse of basic words).
• Short and simple answers.
• Filler words (e.g., um, like).
• Speaking too fast or too slowly.
• Mumbling or unclear pronunciation.

Advice on how to avoid these mistakes:-

• Practice speaking English regularly.
• Pay attention to grammar and vocabulary usage in your everyday speech.
• Record yourself and then listen to identify areas that need improvement.
• Use online resources and mock tests to practise your speaking skills and receive feedback.

You can also take help of IELTS speaking questions with answers given above to minimize the scope of errors. 

Strategies for IELTS Speaking Success

You can adopt the following strategies to boost your confidence while answering in the IELTS speaking section:-

• Maintain eye contact with the examiner.
• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
• Vary your intonation to sound natural.
• Use pause fillers like "well" or "let me see" instead of "um" or "like."

Some of the important points to keep in mind to extend and show depth in your answers are:-

• Elaborate on your points with examples and descriptions.
• Use transition words to show how your ideas are connected.
• Ask clarifying questions to demonstrate your active listening skills.
• Incorporate a variety of grammar and vocabulary in your sentences.

Going through past years’ IELTS speaking questions with answers can help you understand how to make answers impactful and score better.

IELTS Speaking Evaluation Criteria Explained

Understanding how you'll be assessed is essential for preparing effectively for the IELTS speaking test.

The detailed breakdown of scoring criteria is as follows:-

• Fluency and coherence (25%)
• Lexical resource (25%)
• Grammatical accuracy and range (25%)
• Pronunciation (25%)

Each part is equally weighted, and the cumulative average determines the IELTS Speaking score. Your Speaking results are presented as band scores, which range from 0 to 9. Each whole and half band score represents a degree of English language competency.

Tips for securing a high score in the IELTS speaking test are:-

• Focus on all four areas assessed in the exam.
• Aim to speak fluently and naturally, while still using grammatically correct sentences and a wide range of vocabulary.
• Practice speaking on a variety of topics to improve your overall fluency and knowledge.

Practical Exercises and Resources for IELTS Speaking Practice

Developing strong speaking skills takes consistent practice. Incorporating certain practical exercises into your daily routine, can help you improve your fluency and confidence.

Some of the recommended exercises for daily practice are:-

• Describe objects or situations out loud.
• Discuss current events or news stories with a partner.
• Role-play conversations on different topics.
• Record yourself answering IELTS speaking practice questions.

Links to useful resources and practice platforms:-

• The British Council's IELTS website: https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/
• IELTS practice tests: https://ielts.idp.com/prepare/practice-tests
• IELTS online courses: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ielts

Final Preparation Tips

Test day can be nerve-wracking, but with proper preparation, you can approach the IELTS Speaking test with confidence.

Final advice for test day:-

• Get proper sleep before the test day.
• Eat a balanced meal on the day of the test.
• Arrive at the test center early and relax.
• Take a deep breath and focus on communicating clearly.

Encouragement and motivational tips:-

• Believe in yourself and in your ability to pass the test.
• Remember that the IELTS speaking test is a conversation, not an interrogation.
• Focus on demonstrating your English language skills in a natural way.

If you develop a consistent practice routine of IELTS Speaking topics with answers and a positive attitude, you can achieve a high score.

Conclusion

With good preparation and practice, you can do well on the IELTS speaking test. The best approach would be to get started as soon as possible. You should also try to converse in English as much as possible to bolster your speaking skills.

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Ace your IELTS Writing Score with our comprehensive list of expert-approved IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics.

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