IELTS Speaking Practice

Are you looking for IELTS speaking practice materials that include recent IELTS speaking topics?

Look no further! This updated IELTS PDF list of current IELTS speaking topics topics asked in recent IELTS tests will help you prepare for your own IELTS test.

The samples include typical question types you might encounter on test day in the near future, maybe even the exact the same topic as in the actual IELTS exam.

These everyday topics repeat frequently in IELTS speaking tests.

Download

Consistent IELTS speaking practice can quickly improve your confidence and how well you score in the IELTS speaking test.

Recent IELTS Speaking Topics

August 2024

Part 1

Do you like helping others? Why? / Why not?
How do you feel when you lend a hand to someone?
Have you recently offered help to anyone?
In your opinion, is it essential to help others in society? Why? / Why not?
Have you ever had an encounter where a stranger helped you?
Would you feel comfortable asking a stranger for assistance?

Part 2

Talk about an athlete from your country who has made an impact on you.
You should mention:

who they are
where you learned about them
why you admire them

and describe how they have inspired you.

Part 3

In what ways do sports affect the youth in your country?
What importance do you think sports have in shaping national identity?
Should the government allocate more resources to sports facilities? Why / Why not?
How can the government motivate more individuals to engage in sports?
What advantages does hosting international sports competitions bring to a country?
Do you believe there’s too much focus on winning in sports nowadays? Why? / Why not?

IELTS Speaking Test

Part 1

Where do you live? In a village, town, or city?
What do you like most about your (village, town, or city)?
Do you think it’s a good place to raise a family? Why?

What languages do children usually learn in school, in your country?
Do you think using songs to teach children their native language is a good idea? Why? Why not?
Who is most responsible for teaching children their native language? Why?

Part 2

Describe someone you know (from another country) who speaks your language fluently

You should say

who he/she is
where he/she comes from
how he/she learned your language

and explain your feelings about this person’s language skills.

Part 3

Do you think people learn English today the same way as in the past?
In your opinion, is it easier for children to learn a foreign language? Why do you think that?
Is it more difficult for adults to learn foreign languages than it is for children? Why?
How important is the native language in a culture? Why?
Is it important for someone to learn a foreign language, to understand the culture? Why? Why not?
Is protecting small indigenous language groups an issue in your country? What do you think should be done to protect them?

IELTS Speaking Practice Part 1

Part 1 Question + Sample Answers

Examiner: Can you tell me, what makes your hometown famous?

Candidate: Well, my hometown is renowned for its good food, particularly traditional dishes that have been passed down for generations. It's a place where the whole family can enjoy a sumptuous meal together, creating lasting memories.

Examiner: Can you describe the weather there?

Candidate: Sure, our local weather forecasts are usually accurate. Over the last few decades, we've observed a moderate climate, making it perfect for outdoor activities nearly all year round.

Examiner: How would people describe the culture of your hometown?

Candidate: People describe it as a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, and has a good relationship with each other. We encourage people to be good friends and neighbors, which is one of our community's most important qualities.

Examiner: What do people do for entertainment?

Candidate: We watch movies, do outdoor activities, and spend time with friends. Also, we have several festivals which concentrate concentrate nowadays on traditional arts, attracting visitors from afar.

Examiner: Do you think it's easy for someone to fit into your community?

Candidate: Yes. As I mentioned before, we're a welcoming community. Most newcomers integrate into the community without any issues.

IELTS Speaking Practice Part 2

Part 2 Question + Sample Answer

Examiner: Now, in this second part, I'd like you to talk about a topic for about 1-2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.

Here's your topic:

IELTS Cue Card: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Jobs Describe how Artificial Intelligence (AI) might affect employment in the near future. You should say:

How AI might impact various job sectors
Its potential benefits for the job market
Any potential drawbacks it might have

And explain whether you feel the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks.

Candidate: The whole job market feels kind of dystopian lately – there's this crazy tech called AI (Artificial Intelligence, for the older folks that's shaking things up even more. Basically, it's like super-smart robots that can learn and stuff.

Anyway, AI is creeping into workplaces everywhere. Remember that factory down the street with the robots? Yeah, well, those bots are getting way smarter with AI. Now they're handling all the repetitive tasks – like, literally the stuff that would put you to sleep after five minutes. My friend Sarah, who works there, says it's actually a good thing. Now she gets to use her brain for more interesting repairs, not just tightening bolts all day.

Hospitals are getting in on the AI action too. Apparently, it's like having a robot doctor assistant who helps analyze scans, suggest treatments, and even deal with all that soul-crushing paperwork. My best friend, a nurse named Emily, swears by it. She says AI frees up her time to actually connect with patients, which is way more important than shuffling endless forms.

But here's the catch – and it's a big one. All these fancy AI robots might mean some jobs, especially those repetitive ones, just disappear. Like, poof, gone. That could lead to major unemployment, especially for people in those routine roles. Not good, right?

Plus, there's this whole privacy thing that's kinda creepy. AI needs a ton of data to function, and that raises red flags about keeping our personal info safe. Who wants their medical records or financial data floating around the internet like a digital ghost?

So, AI at work feels like a double-edged sword. It could make doing the same things everyday way more efficient and free us up for cooler stuff, but we must be careful it doesn't come at the cost of people's jobs or privacy. Here's hoping we can find some balance, because a future with robots as co-workers could be pretty darn awesome, as long as everyone gets to eat (and keep their data safe!).

IELTS Speaking Practice Part 3

Part 3 Questions + Sample Answers

Examiner: Let's move on to discuss the topic of technology and weather.

How has technology influenced the way we understand and predict weather patterns?

Candidate: Technology has had a huge impact on how we understand and predict weather. Instead of relying on old-school methods, we now have fancy weather equipment and powerful computer models that can crunch a ton of data.

Satellites in space give us real-time pictures and info about the atmosphere, while weather stations on the ground keep an eye on changes all around the world. With all this data and some fancy math, we can make accurate weather predictions, from local forecasts to tracking storms.

It's not just about making life easier, though. It's about being prepared for bad weather and being able to respond quickly, which can be a matter of life and death.

Examiner: Can you discuss the role of technology in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events?

Candidate: CWell, technology is vital for dealing with extreme weather events. Take early warning systems, for example. They use sophisticated satellites and sensors on the ground to give timely alerts about disasters like hurricanes or floods. This gives people the chance to evacuate or get ready.

And, thanks to advances in data analytics and AI, we can now model disaster scenarios more accurately. This helps us plan and respond better. Plus, we're even using technology to create robust infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Think flood-resistant urban design and earthquake-resistant buildings.

So, while we can't stop extreme weather, technology gives us the tools to minimize their impacts effectively. And that's a good thing, right?

Examiner: To what extent do you believe that advancements in technology could help us adapt to climate change?

Candidate: Technology has incredible potential to help us adapt to climate change. It's all about climate modeling, renewable energy, and so much more. We now have fancy computational models to predict climate patterns and see how our actions affect the environment.

Plus, we're working on clean and sustainable energy sources, like solar and wind power, to cut down on greenhouse gases. And AI and IoT are even helping farmers deal with changing weather patterns! It's a big challenge, but I truly believe technology gives us the tools to tackle it head-on.

Examiner: Now, let's shift our discussion to technology and food.

Examiner: How has technology transformed the way we produce and consume food?

Candidate: Well, technology has completely changed how we make and enjoy food. On the production side, things like precision agriculture let farmers use data, robotics, and GPS to get the most out of their crops. And when it comes to eating, online shopping, and food delivery apps make it easier than ever to get our hands on tasty meals.

Examiner: Can you talk about the impacts of technology on the nutritional value of food?

Candidate: The impact of technology on food's nutritional value has been significant. Innovations like GMOs and fortification have made some foods more nutritious. However, we must remember that using tech in food production also raises concerns about health and safety. For example, the use of pesticides in GMO crops has sparked concerns about potential long-term effects on human health.

Examiner: Do you think technological innovation is crucial for ensuring global food security? Why or why not?

Candidate: It's very likely! Technological innovation is super important for making sure everyone has enough to eat. With more and more people in the world, tech can help us grow more food, waste less, and get it to the people who need it faster. And who knows? Maybe in the future, things like vertical farming or lab-grown meat will totally change the way we eat.

Recent IELTS Questions

IELTS Speaking Test Part 1

Hometown/Where You Live

Describe your hometown, please.
Is it a good place to grow up? Why?
Have there been any changes in your hometown in recent years?
Would you like to live in the countryside?
Where would it be?
Why do you like this area?
How do you feel living in a house or apartment?
Where do you live now?
What did you like most about the house in which you grew up?
Describe your flat or apartment.
Do you want to own your a house or an apartment in the future?
What changes would you make to your own place?
What type of house would you like to have?

Food and Culture

Do you enjoy trying foreign food? Why or why not?
What's the most interesting foreign dish you've tried recently?

Music and Celebrations

How do you feel about listening to foreign music?
Are family parties important in your culture? What role does music play in these gatherings?

Clothing

What's your preference between smart clothes and casual clothes? Why?
In your opinion, are traditional clothes still relevant in today's world?

Daily Life

What is your opinion on snacks between meals?
What do you like to have as a snack?
When do you usually eat it?
How do you usually keep up with the news? Do you prefer online news sources or traditional methods?
What do you do to maintain your mental health in today's fast-paced world?

Colors/Colours

Do you like colours?
Which coluors do you like?
Do you think colours influence you?
Are colours important with regard to particular products?
Which colours of clothes do you like to wear? Light or dark?
Has the way you choose the colour of your clothes changed from when you were a child?
Is there any particular colour you would not want to have in your house?
What are the colours that you would rather not have in your house?

History

Are you interested in history?
Did you study this subject at school?
Describe a book you read about history recently?
When did you read it?
What was it about exactly?
Do you like to watch historical films?

Music

What kind of music do children like to listen to?
Is it different from what you listen to?
What kind of music does the older generation like to hear?
Why do people like to listen to music?
Do you like to sing?
Do you think everyone can sing?
What are some of the occasions when people sing?
Do you think all cultures enjoy singing?
What kind of live music can you listen to in your region?
What was the last concert you went to or watched on television?

IELTS Speaking Test Part 2

Long Turn

Describe a time when you felt overwhelmed by a crowded place

You should say:

where it was
what you were doing there
how you felt about being there

and explain how you dealt with the situation.

Follow-up question: How do you normally avoid going to crowded places?

Talk about your favourite song

You should say:

What is the song about?
When did you first hear the song?
Why is it your favourite?

And explain how the song makes you feel when you hear it.

Follow-up question: How often do you normally listen to that song? What does it remind you of when you hear it?

Talk about a small business in your community that has a good reputation

You should say:

what kind of business it is
why it earned a good reputation
what you can learn from this company

and explain how you feel about this business.

Follow-up questions: Why do you think many other local businesses can't achieve that level of success?

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3

Society and Education

How has university education changed in the past decade?
With the rising interest in learning science and technology, what other methods should be incorporated to enhance learning experiences?
Do you believe learning online can be as effective as traditional methods?
What qualities make a good teacher in today's educational landscape?

Business and Advertising

In your opinion, what constitutes a good advertisement?
Is it easy to establish a business in your country?
What do you think about family owned businesses?
Would you like to be a manager of such a business? Why?/Why not?
Can you share an experience where bad service significantly affected your perception of a business?
How should businesses handle such situations?

Community and Urban Planning

How important is urban planning in creating spaces that cater to the needs of elderly people?

Arts and Learning

Is it important to have a physical place to learn music, or can it be effectively done online?
How does spending time learning a creative skill like music impact an individual's mental health?

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Topic: Teachers

Can you recall a teacher from your elementary education days?
What do you remember most about that teacher?
What are some recent changes in the field of education and the role of educators?

Topic: School Subjects

Do you find learning enjoyable? Can you explain your reasons?
Was there a particular course in elementary school that you enjoyed more than others? What made it enjoyable?
What foreign language was a part of your academic curriculum?
Did learning that foreign language benefit you later? How?

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Cue Card

Describe an event or day when you spent a lot of time with a young child.
You should say:

the child's name
the reason you interacted with them
the activities you did together

and say how you felt about the experience.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Discussion

Topic: Parents & Children

In your view, what should be the extent of parental involvement in disciplining children?
Who generally spends more time with children at home, the mother or the father?
Do you believe this pattern is universal among families?
Can you discuss the significance of parents supervising their child's social activity?
Do you believe parents should influence their child's choice of friends?
Do children learn more effectively through experience (making errors) or by strict rules? Can you explain why?

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Topic: Meeting Places

Can you describe some popular meeting places in your hometown?
What do people usually do there?
Is there any historical or cultural significance attached to these meeting places?
How have these meeting places evolved or changed over the years?
Can you share a memorable incident or story associated with any of these places?

Topic: Advertisements

What are some typical advertisements you often see?
Why do you think those ads are targeted in those places?
How do these advertisements influence the behavior or decisions of the consumers?
Can you discuss any controversial or standout advertising campaigns that have appeared recently?
What role do celebrities play in the advertisements you see, and how effective do you think this is?

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Advertising about Clothing Cue Card

Talk about an advertising campaign for clothing that you've seen recently.
You should say:
- Which clothing brand it was.
- What aspects of the advertising campaign caught your attention.
- If you found it interesting.
And explain how it made you feel about the clothes being promoted.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Topic: Clothing in the Past

How has clothing and fashion changed in your country over the past few decades? To what extent do you think young people play a role in these changes?
In your opinion, are people today more or less influenced by fashion trends than in the past? Why do you think this is the case?
Do you think advertising influences the way young people dress, and how important is it for fashion brands to target young consumers?
In your view, what are some potential pros and cons of young people being heavily influenced by fashion trends, advertising, and the clothing industry as a whole?

Topic: Young People & Fashion

Has the fast fashion industry changed the way young people perceive and consume fashion? What are some of the implications of this shift?
How do social media platforms and influencers shape the fashion choices of young people? Can you discuss any specific instances or trends that highlight this influence?
In your view, how can the fashion industry better promote sustainable and ethical practices, particularly to younger consumers?

Recent IELTS Exam

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Topic: Forgetting Things

Can you tell me about a time when you forgot something important and how it affected your day?
What techniques do you use to help you remember important tasks and appointments?
Do you find it harder to remember information when you are stressed or tired? Why do you think that is?
How do you feel when you forget something essential? Does it make you more attentive in the future?
In your opinion, is it easier to remember personal experiences or facts and figures? Why?

Topic: Memory

How would you assess your memory capacity? Are you able to recall details quickly, or do you struggle at times?
What role does memory play in your everyday life, and how important is it for your personal and professional growth?
Do you have a good memory, and how does it impact your life?
How do you believe age affects memory capacity? Is it possible to improve your memory as you get older?
What are some common challenges people face when trying to remember information? How can one overcome them?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a piece of good news that you received recently You should say:
- What the good news was
- How you received it (e.g., phone call, email, letter)
- Who the news was about
And explain how it made you feel and why it was significant.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Topic: Small Business & Sharing

How can small businesses benefit from sharing their accomplishments or good news with the community?
What different ways or platforms can small business owners use to share their good news with their customers and community?
Considering the importance of positive feedback, how can receiving good news influence the workplace environment and employee morale in a small business?

Topic: Small Business & the Community

How do small businesses contribute to the growth and development of the communities they are a part of?
In what ways can communities show their support for local small businesses?
How can small businesses and communities work together to address local issues or solve common problems? Share an example if possible.

Recent Cue Cards

Talk about a necessary skill you mastered recently
You should say:
- What the skill is
- How you learned it
- How often you use it
And explain why you think it is a useful skill to have.
Latest IELTS cue cards

Answer:

I'm going to talk about something I use daily that has been extremely useful to me.

The skill I'm going to talk about is time management. Time management is a skill that everyone needs to learn to be successful in life. We only have so many hours in a day, and we need to learn to use our time wisely. Otherwise, we'll never get anything done!

I learned this skill by taking a time management course. This course taught me different ways to prioritize my tasks, schedule my time effectively, and stay organized. I now use these skills daily, and they've been helpful to me. Without them, I would probably be a lot less productive.

Time management is necessary because it helps us use our time wisely. We can't waste our time if we want to be successful in life. We need to learn how to use our time wisely so that we can get things done and meet our goals. That's why I think time management is such an important skill.

I believe that time management is a useful skill that everyone should learn. It's helped me become more productive and efficient, and I'm sure it can help many people do the same. Anyone who wants to improve their time management skills can find plenty of resources (including courses) that can help.

IELTS PDF

Tell me about a time when you helped make a difference in a child's life
- Where and when did it happen?
- Who was the child?
- How did you help him/her?
- How did you feel about helping this child?
IELTS speaking topics with answers

Model Answer

I remember one time when I was working as a teaching assistant in an elementary school. The assignment was part of my practicum for my education degree.
I was working with a third-grade student who was having difficulty with math. The child really struggled with numbers and basic concepts. I worked with her one-on-one for about six weeks.
We did a lot of hands-on activities and games to help her understand the material. It was so rewarding to see her progress and eventually succeed in math. She went from hating math to enjoying it, and that made me feel great.

Some of the tactics I used to help her pay better attention in class were to sit with her during lessons, help her organize her notes, and go over the material with her after school.
We also played some memory games and did other activities to help her improve her focus. She was really grateful for the help and she started to understand the material better and her grades improved.

It was a fantastic learning experience for both of us, and I'm so glad I was able to help her out. I'm sure she'll be a math whiz in no time!

Describe a problem you faced while buying in-store or online
- what did you buy?
- where did you buy it?
- what was the problem?
And explain how you felt about the service you receieved.
Latest IELTS cue cards

Answer:

I love to shop. It's my favorite hobby, and I'll confess that I spend far too much money on clothes, shoes, and accessories than is probably healthy.

But I have to say that lately, I've been really disappointed with the online shopping experience. Whether I'm buying from a small boutique or a major retailer, I've been facing more problems than ever before.

I was buying a dress for a wedding from a small online boutique. I found the perfect dress, and it was even in my size! I added it to my cart and went to check out.

But when I got to the shipping page, I realized that the dress would take four weeks to arrive. There was no way that would work—the wedding was in two weeks! I ended up having to find a different dress at the last minute. It wasn't nearly as nice as the first one, and it cost me twice as much.

I've also had trouble with returns. A few months ago, I bought some shoes online from a major retailer. But when they arrived, they were too small.

No problem, I thought—I'll just return them and get a different size. But when I looked at the return policy, I saw that I would have to pay for shipping both ways!

And on top of that, there was a restocking fee. In the end, it wasn't worth it, so I just kept the shoes and gave them away to charity.

And then there are the scams. Recently, I found an amazing deal on designer jeans online. They were 50% off! So I ordered them right away.

But when they arrived, it was clear that they were fake—the stitching was wrong and the fabric was cheap. Luckily, I was able to return them and get my money back. But it was a close call.

Overall, I feel pretty disappointed with my recent online shopping experiences. Between long shipping times, complicated return policies, and outright scams, it's getting harder and harder to justify buying things online instead of in-store.

That's why these days, you'll find me hitting up my local mall instead of logging onto my favorite retailer's website. At least that way, if there are any problems with my purchase, I can deal with them right away instead of waiting for days or even weeks for an email response from customer service.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Topic: Friends

What do you value most in a friendship?
How has your definition of friendship evolved over the years?
Can you share an instance when you had to support a friend through a difficult time?
How do you think technology has impacted the way we make and maintain friendships?
Do you believe that having a diverse group of friends is beneficial? Why or why not?

Topic: Natural Talent

Do you think everyone possesses a natural talent?
In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of having a natural talent?
How can an individual discover their natural talent, and how should they further develop it?
Are there any natural talents that you admire or find fascinating?
How do you think a society can nurture and support its members' natural talents?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a social media company that you find interesting or successful.
You should say:
- The company's name and what it does
- Why you find it interesting or successful
- How it has impacted the way people communicate
And explain your thoughts on the potential future developments of this company.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Topic: Technology & Relationships

How do you think technology has influenced interpersonal relationships in today's society?
What role do you think communication technology plays in long-distance relationships?
To what extent do you believe that our reliance on technology for communication has impacted the quality of relationships?

Topic: Technology & Foreign Languages

In what ways has technology made learning a foreign language more accessible and engaging?
How do you think language learning apps compare to traditional methods of language learning?
What potential challenges could arise from relying heavily on technology for language learning?

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Topic: Money

How do you usually manage your personal finances or budget?
Would you consider yourself a big spender or a saver? Why?
What are some things you enjoy spending your money on?
How have your spending habits changed over the years?
What role do you think money plays in personal happiness?

Topic: Childhood

Can you share any memorable experiences from your childhood?
How would you describe your childhood in three adjectives?
What was your favorite toy or game as a child? Why did you find it interesting?
How has your hometown changed since you were a child?
Can you recall an interesting thing you remember from your childhood?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Cue card)

Talk about a small business you know that is successful
You should say:
- What type of business it is
- How you learned about this business
- What makes it successful
And explain why you think it is an example of a successful small business.

Follow-up question: Have you ever bought anything from this business? Explain why (or why not)

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Topic: Small Companies vs. Big Companies

What do you think are the main differences in working for a small company compared to a large corporation?
In your opinion, should one support local small businesses over big companies? Why or why not?
How do small businesses contribute to a country's economy?

Topic: Technology & Companies

In what ways do you think technology is changing the way companies operate today?
Will automation and artificial intelligence technology affect the future job market? How?
How can companies adapt to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape?

FAQ

How Can I improve my IELTS speaking skills fast?

There are several things you can do to improve your IELTS speaking skills fast.

One is to get plenty of practice speaking English with native speakers. This will help you to get used to the rhythm and flow of the language, and also pick up on any common errors that you might be making.

Another great way to improve your speaking skills is to listen to native English speakers as often as possible. This will help you to learn how to produce the sounds correctly, and also familiarize yourself with the various intonations and stress patterns used in spoken English.

Finally, it is also a good idea to read aloud as much as possible in English, as this will help to improve your pronunciation and fluency.

What should IELTS test takers focus on during each speaking part of the interview?

IELTS test takers should focus on their fluency and pronunciation during the interview. They should also tryto understand and respond to the questions accurately.

Additionally, test takers should use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures in their answers.

Latest IELTS speaking topics

What challenges might individuals face when they move to a foreign country and how can they adapt to different countries? Compare this to living in your own country.

How can certain TV programs harm children's ability to learn? What practices should be adopted to ensure children benefit from TV programs?

What factors affect health awareness in modern society? How can we mitigate safety risks and promote a good trend for public health?

How has modern technology influenced the way people in your country celebrate traditional festivals or produce a traditional product?

Describe an interesting place you visited.

Talk about an interesting animal from your country.

Describe an interesting neighbor you know.

Describe your favorite room at home.

How is a modern house different from traditional residential buildings?

Why is the internet important in daily life? How have electronic devices influenced this importance?

How does growing up in the same place contribute to childhood friendship?

What qualities make these friendships good and lasting?

Describe your hometown's distinct landscape that it's famous for.

How does the weather in your local area influence this landscape?

Disclaimer: The IELTS speaking test samples on this page are for the purpose of IELTS speaking practice as part of more comprehensive IELTS preparation. These IELTS speaking sample questions and model answers are based on familiar topics, They will help you develop the necessary speaking skills the IELTS examiner will assess on test day according to the official marking criteria. They have been curated from various sources. Please consult your local IDP Education Australia or British Council IELTS test center for official IELTS exam Practice Materials.