This is a list of IELTS Speaking Topics September to December 2022 and has been compiled by students who have just taken their tests, so there may be some errors. More topics are added as they are reported, so watch this space!
Click Here for the Latest IELTS Speaking Questions January to April 2024
After each of these topics is a sample answer and the transcript for it. I hope you find them useful. I have used audio instead of video, so this page is not too slow.
Please remember, these questions are reported by students after their test, so although the topic will be correct, there may be some slight grammar errors.
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Morning Time
1 Do you like getting up early in the morning?
2 What do you usually do in the morning?
3 What did you do in the morning when you were little? Why?
4 Are there any differences between what you do in the morning now and what you did in the past?
Hair Salon (Incomplete so far)
Do you often go to the hair salon?
Would you like to have your hair dyed/coloured?
Housework and cooking
1 Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home?
2 Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
3 Do you have breakfast at home every day?
4 Do you want to learn how to cook well?
Snacks
1 What snacks do you like to eat?
2 Did you often eat snacks when you were young?
3 When do you usually eat snacks now?
4 Do you think it is healthy for you to eat snacks?
Names
1 Does your name have any special meaning?
2 How would you choose names for your next generation?
3 Are there any differences between how people from your country name their children now and in the past?
4 Does anyone in your family have the same name as you?
Writing
1 Do you write a lot?
2 What do you like to write? Why?
3 Do you think the things you write would change?
4 Do you prefer typing or handwriting when you are writing?
Birthdays
1 What do you usually do on your birthday?
2 What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
3 Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?
4 Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in your country?
Public transportation
1 What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
2 When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when you are travelling?
3 Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
4 Did you take public transportation when you were a kid?
Weather
1 What’s the weather like where you live?
2 Do you prefer cold or hot weather?
3 Do you prefer dry or wet weather?
4 Do you get in the habit of checking the weather forecast? When/How often?
Technology
1 What technology do you use most, computers or mobile phones?
2 What electronic devices have you bought lately?
3 Are there any technology you want to buy?
4 What’s the benefit of technology?
Cooking
Do you like cooking?
Do you want to learn how to cook well?
Who does the cooking in your family?
Geography
1 Do you like geography?
2 Have you ever studied geography at school?
3 Are you good at reading a map?
4 Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?
Singing 1 Do you like singing? Why?
2 Have you ever learnt how to sing?
3 Who do you want to sing for?
4 Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Social media
1 Do you or your friends like using social media?
2 Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?
3 Do you want to work in social media? Why?
4 What’s the most popular social media in your country? Why?
Puzzles
1 Did you do puzzles in your childhood?
2 When do you do puzzles, during a trip or when you feel bored?
3 Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more difficult for you?
4 Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?
Work or Studies
It is very common to be asked if you are working or studying. the following questions are typical of those asked thereafter. Remember you will only get asked 4 questions from each section, so do not expect all these questions in one test.
Studies
What subjects are you studying?
Do you like your subjects?
Why did you choose to study that subject?
Is it very interesting?
Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
Are you looking forward to working?
What technology do you use when you are studying?
Work
What work do you do?
Why did you choose to do that kind of work (or that job)?
Do you like your job?
Is it very interesting?
Do you miss being a student?
What technology do you use at work?
Who helps you the most? And how?
It is also very common to be asked about your hometown. Remember you will only get asked 4 questions from each section, so do not expect all these questions in one test.
Hometown
Where is your hometown?
Is that a big city or a small place?
Do you like your hometown?
What do you like (most) about your hometown?
Is there anything you dislike about it?
How long have you been living there?
Do you like living there?
Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
Please describe your hometown a little?
What’s your hometown famous for?
Did you learn about the history of your hometown at school?
Another common subject is your home. Remember you will only get asked 4 questions from each section, so do not expect all these questions in one test.
Home and Accommodation
Do you live in a house or a flat?
Can you describe the place where you live?
How long have you lived there?
Please describe the room you live in.
What part of your home do you like the most?
Who do you live with?
What room does your family spend most of the time in?
What do usually do in your flat?
What kinds of accommodation do you live in?
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
What kind of house or flat do you want to live in the future?
What’s your favourite room in your house/apartment?
What makes you feel pleasant in your home?
What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you lived in the past?
Books and Reading Habits
Do you often read books? When?
Are your reading habits now different than before?
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?
Evening Time
1 Do you like the morning or the evening?
2 What do you usually do in the evening?
3 What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why?
4 Are there any differences between what you do in the evening now and what you did in the past?
Advertisements
1 Are you interested in watching TV advertisements or internet advertisements?
2 What kinds of advertisements do you dislike?
3 Do you share advertisements with others?
4 Do you want to work in advertising in the future?
Computers
1 In what conditions would you use a computer?
2 When was the first time you used a computer?
3 What would your life be like without computers?
4 In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer?
Old buildings
1 Have you ever seen some old buildings in the city?
2 Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities?
3 Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?
4 Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why?
Talents
1 Do you have a talent, or something you are good at?
2 Was it mastered recently or when you were young?
3 Do you think your talent can be useful for your future work? Why?
4 Do you think anyone in your family has the same talent?
Watches
1 Do you wear a watch?
2 Have you ever got a watch as a gift?
3 Why do some people wear expensive watches?
4 Do you think it is important to wear a watch? Why?
IELTS Speaking Parts 2 and 3
Part 2
Describe a time when you overcame difficulties in doing something and succeeded
You should say:
What the difficult task was
How you overcame the difficulties
Whether you got help
And explain how you felt when you succeeded
Part 3
1 Should people set goals for themselves?
2 How do you define success?
3 How do we judge whether young people are successful?
4 Are successful people lonely?
Part 2
Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)
You should say:
What it was
When you learned it
How you learned it
And explain why it was important
Part 3
1 What can children learn from parents?
2 Do you think some children are well-behaved because they are influenced by their parents?
3 Is it necessary for adults to learn new things?
4 How can people learn new things?
Part 2
Describe a time when you received money as a gift
You should say:
When it happened
Who gave you money
Why he/she gave you money
And explain how you used the money
Part 3
1 Why do people rarely use cash now?
2 When do children begin to comprehend the value of money?
3 Should parents reward children with money?
4 Is it good and necessary to teach children to save money?
Part 2
Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelers
You should say:
What it is
Where it is
What people can do there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers
Part 3
1 Is it important to take photos while traveling?
2 Can you trust other people’s travel journals on the internet?
3 What factors affect how people feel about travel?
Part 2
Describe a time you made a decision to wait for something
You should say:
When it happened
What you waited for
Why you made the decision
And explain how you felt about the decision
Part 3 1 Do people in your country like to take public transportation?
2 Why do some people like a slow-paced life?
3 Is being patient good for people? Why?
4 Are people less patient now than people in the past? Why?
Part 2
Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting
You should say:
Who he/she is
How you knew him/her
What interesting thing you did
And explain how he/she inspired you to do something interesting
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
What qualities make a role model?
Part 2
Describe a story or novel you have read that you found interesting
You should say:
When you read it
What the story or novel was about
Who wrote it
And explain why you read it
Part 3
1 How does technology help people tell stories?
2 Do you prefer to read e-books or paper books?
3 Why are mystery novels so popular nowadays?
4 What kinds of stories do children like?
Part 2
Describe an impressive English lesson you enjoyed
You should say:
What it was about
When you had it
What the teacher did
And why you enjoyed the lesson
Part 3
1 Why do people learn foreign languages?
2 What makes a good foreign language teacher?
3 Do you think grammar is important when learning foreign languages?
4 Is it interesting to be a foreign language teacher? Why?
Part 2
Describe a program you like to watch
You should say:
What it is
What it is about
Who you watch it with
And explain why you like to watch it
Part 3
1 What programs do people like to watch in your country?
2 Do people in your country like to watch foreign TV programs?
3 What’s the benefit of letting kids watch animal videos than visiting zoos?
4 Do teachers play videos in class in your country?
Part 2
Describe a person who likes to dress fashionably/well
You should say:
Who he/she is
What job he/she does
What kind of clothes he/she wears
And explain why he/she likes fashion
Part 3
1 Do you think online shopping will replace in-store shopping in the future? Why?
2 Why is fashion very important to some people?
3 Are older people as fashionable as young people? Why?
4 Are women more fashionable than men? Why?
Part2
Describe a photo you took that you are proud of
You should say:
When you took it
Where you took it
What is in this photo
And explain why you are proud of it
Part 3
1 Why do some people like to record important things with photos?
2 What can people learn from historical photographs?
3 Is taking photos the best way to remember something?
4 What do you think of beautified selfies?
Part 2
Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently
You should say:
What the activity is
Who invited you to participate in it
Whether you asked for help in the activity
And explain what change you had in the activity
Part 3
1 What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
2 Are those people who like dangerous activities more likely to be successful?
3 Do you think it’s better for people to change jobs when there are new chances?
4 Should young people try as many new activities as possible?
Part 2
Describe the home of someone you know well and that you often visit
You should say:
Whose home it is
How often you go there
What it is like
And explain how you feel about the home
Part 3
1 What are the differences between buildings in the city and in the countryside?
2 Do you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside?
3 What safety risks are there in residential buildings in cities?
4 Is it expensive to decorate a house or an apartment in the place where you live?
Part 2
Describe a disagreement you had with someone
You should say:
Who you had the disagreement with
What the disagreement was
What happened
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3
What do you do if you disagree with someone?
How can we stop an argument from escalating into a fight?
Who do you think should teach children to respect their teacher?
What disagreements do parents and children usually have?
Part 2
Describe a popular place for sports(e.g. a stadium) that you’ve been to
You should say:
Where it is
When you went there
What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place
Part 3
1 Do young people like to do sports?
2 What are the benefits of sports for children?
3 Is it necessary to build public sports spaces?
4 What do you think of companies donating sports venues for poor children?
Part 2
Describe an object that you think is beautiful
You should say:
What it is
Where you saw it
What it looks like
And explain why you think it is beautiful
Part 3
1 Do you think there are more beautiful things now than in the past? Why?
2 What beautiful scenery spots are there in your country?
3 Where do you think people usually come into contact with beautiful things?
4 Why do you think people create beautiful things?
Part 2
Describe a story you have heard about
You should say:
Who told this story
When you heard about it
What it was about
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
1 How does technology help people tell stories?
2 What are the differences between reading stories and listening to stories?
Part 2
Describe a time when you forgot an appointment
You should say:
What the appointment was for
Who you made it with
Why you forgot it
And explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
How do people who are busy remember things they need to do?
Do you think people should remember family history?
Part 2
Describe a person you know who loves to grow vegetables/fruits
You should say:
Who this person is
What he/she grows
Where he/she grows them
And explain how you feel about this
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
1 What do you think of the job as a farmer?
2 Are there many people growing their own
vegetables now?
Part 2
Describe a time when you shared something with others
You should say:
What you shared
Who you shared it with
What you usually share with others
And explain why you shared it with him/her
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
Do you think kids like to share? Why?
How can parents teach their children to share?
What do you think is the benefit of sharing for children?
Part 2
Describe a time when you needed to search for information
You should say:
What information you needed to search for
When you searched for it
Where you searched for it
And explain why you needed to search for it
Part 3
1 How can people search for information now?
2 What information can people get from television?
3 With the development of the Internet, is the library still important?
4 Does the development of the Internet have any impact on some disadvantaged people?
Part 2
Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g. in a park, on the beach etc.)
You should say:
Where you saw the plastic waste
When you saw it
What you did
And explain how you felt about this
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
1 Do you think we should use plastic products?
2 How can we reduce our use of plastic?
Part 2
Describe a movie you watched recently and would like to watch again
You should say:
What it was about
Where you watched it
Why you like it
And explain why you would like to watch it again
Part 3
Where do people normally watch movies?
What are the differences between watching movies at home and in a cinema?
Are actors or actresses important to movies? Why?
Why are there fewer people going to the cinema to watch movies?
Part 2
Describe a friend from your childhood
You should say:
Who he/she is
Where you met each other
What you often did together
And explain what made you like him/her
Part 3
1 Do you still keep in touch with your friends from childhood? Why or why not?
2 What do you think of online social media?
3 Do you think online social media will replace face-to-face communication?
4 Do you use a lot of emojis online? Why?
Part 2
Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)
You should say:
What it is
When you learned it
How you learned it
And explain why it was important
Part 3
1 What can children learn from parents?
2 Do you think some children are well-behaved because they are influenced by their parents?
3 Is it necessary for adults to learn new things?
4 How can people learn new things?
Part 2
Describe a song/a piece of music you like
You should say:
Which country the song/music is from
What story the song/music is about
Whom you knew the song/music from
And explain why you like it
Part 3
1 What music is popular in your country?
2 What kind of music do people listen to at a club?
3 What kind of music do young people like? Why?
4 What are the differences between the music preferred by girls and boys?
Part 2
Describe a person you know who is from a different culture
You should say:
Who he/sheis
Where he/she is from
How you knew him/her
And explain how you feel about him/her
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
1 Where and how can we get to know people of different cultures better?
2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity?
3 How can traditional culture and other cultures coexist?
Part 2
Describe a time when you received money on your birthday
You should say:
When it happened
Who gave you money
Why he/she gave you money
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
Why do people rarely use cash now?
Part 2
Describe an experience of online shopping
You should say:
What happened
What you bought
What problems you had while shopping online
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
What kind of service do you think is good?
Part 2
Describe a story you have heard about
You should say:
Who told this story
When you heard about it
What it was about
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3 (Incomplete so far)
1 How does technology help people tell stories?
2 What are the differences between reading stories and listening to stories?
Part 2
Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium) that you’ve been to.
You should say:
Where it is
When you went there
What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place
Part 3
1 Do young people like to do sports?
2 What are the benefits of sports for children?
3 Is it necessary to build public sports spaces?
4 What do you think of companies donating sports venues for poor children?
Part 2
Describe a disagreement you had with someone
You should say:
Who you had the disagreement with
What the disagreement was
What happened
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3
1 What would you do if you disagree with someone?
2 How do we stop an argument from escalating into a fight?
3 Who do you think should teach children to respect their teacher?
4 What disagreements do parents and children usually have?
Part 2
Describe the home of someone you know well and that you often visit
You should say:
Whose home it is
How often you go there
What it is like
And explain how you feel about the home
Part 3
1 What are the differences between houses or buildings in the city and in the countryside?
2 Do you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside?
3 What safety risks are there in residential buildings in cities?
4 Is it expensive to decorate a house or an apartment in the place where you live?
Part 2
Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently
You should say:
What the activity is
Who invited you to participate in it
Whether you asked for help in the activity
And explain what change you had in the activity
Part 3
1 What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
2 Are those people who like dangerous activities more likely to be successful?
3 Do you think it’s better for people to change jobs when there are new chances?
4 Should young people try as many new activities as possible?
Part 2
Describe a photo you took that you are proud of
You should say:
When you took it
Where you took it
What is in this photo
And explain why you are proud of it
Part 3
1 Why do some people like to record important things with photos?
2 What can people learn from historical photographs?
3 Is taking photos the best way to remember something?
4What do you think of beautified selfies?
Part 2
Describe a person who likes to dress fashionably
You should say:
Who he/she is
What job he/she does
What kind of dresses he/she wears
And explain why he/she likes fashion
Part 3
1 Do you think online shopping will replace in-store shopping in the future? Why?
2 Why is fashion very important to some people?
3 Are older people as fashionable as young people? Why?
5Are women more fashionable than men? Why?
Part 2
Describe a program you like to watch
You should say:
What it is
What it is about
Who you watch it with
And explain why you like to watch it
Part 3
1 What programs do people like to watch in your country?
2 Do people in your country like to watch foreign TV programs?
3 What’s the benefit of letting kids watch animal videos than visiting zoos?
4 Do teachers play videos in class in your country?
Part 2
Describe a friend you like to talk with
You should say:
Who he/she is
What you like to talk about
Why you like to talk to him or her
And explain how you feel about him or her.
Part 3
On what occasions do people talk with strangers?
Do you think people should be honest when talking with friends?
What do young people talk about when they meet up?
Where do young people like to meet?
Part 2
Describe someone you really like to spend time with
You should say:
Who this person is
How you know him/her
What you usually do together
And explain why you like to spend time with him/her.
Part 3
Do you like talking with older people?
Do people have time for themselves nowadays?
How do leaders get along with their subordinates?
What kinds of people are easy to get along with?
Part 2
Describe a popular/well-known person in your country
You should say:
Who this person is
What he/she has done
Why he/she is popular
And explain how you feel about this person
Part 3
1 What kinds of people are popular at work?
2 Are bosses more popular than employees at work?
3 Which one is more important, keeping a good relationship with colleagues or doing well at work?
4 What benefits are there when a child is popular at school?
Part 2
Describe an interesting neighbor
You should say:
Who he/she is
How you knew him/her
What you do together
And explain why he/she is interesting
Part 3
1 Do you think people are familiar with their neighbors?
2 How can people improve their relationship with neighbors in a community?
3 How do children build relationships with others in a community?
4 Is it beneficial to get along well with neighbors?
Part 2
Describe a family member who you want to work with in the future
You should say:
Who he/she is
Whether you have worked together before
What kind of work you would like to do with him/her
And explain how you feel about this family member
Part 3
1 What kinds of family business are common in your country?
2 Is it good to work with family members? Why?
3 Why do people want to have family businesses?
4 What benefits are there when working for big companies?
Part 2
Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in
You should say:
What it is like
Where it would be
Why you would like to live in this house or apartment
And how you feel about this house or apartment.
Part 3
Do people usually rent or buy a house? Why?
What are the differences between houses and apartments?
What are the differences between houses that young and old people like?
What kinds of apartments are the most popular?
Part 2
Describe a special cake you received from others
You should say:
When it happened
Where it happened
Who you got the cake from
And explain why it was a special cake.
Part 3
Do you think it is good to communicate when eating with your family?
Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?
Is there any food in your country that is eaten at special times or on special occasions?
What are the differences between special food in your country and other countries?
Part 2
Describe an interesting song
You should say:
What the song is
What story the song tells
Whether the song is popular
And explain why you think it is interesting.
Part 3
What are the differences between live concerts and online concerts?
What kinds of people like traditional music?
What kinds of music do young people like?
Why are many music competitions popular?
Part 2
Describe an interesting discussion you had with your friend
You should say:
What the discussion was about
What opinions you and your friend had
Why you think the discussion was interesting
And how you feel about it.
Part 3
In what industries do you think communication is a necessary skill?
Should parents require their kids to obey them?
Do children have strong opinions?
When do children normally form their own views?
Part 2
Describe a rule you dislike and would like to change in the future
You should say:
What it is
What it is for
Why you don’t like it
And explain why you would like to change it
Part 3
How are people punished when they park in the wrong place?
What rules should children follow at home?
Are the rules at school good or bad?
What are the rules students should follow at school?
Part 2
Describe a time when you got stuck in a traffic jam
You should say:
When it happened
Where you were stuck
what you did while waiting
And explain how you felt in the traffic jam.
Part 3
What are good ways to manage traffic?
Do you think highways help to reduce traffic jams?
Do you think developing public transport can solve traffic jam problems?
How can we solve traffic problems?
Part 2
Describe a long walk you had
You should say:
When this happened
Where you walked
Who you were with
And explain how you felt about this long walk
Part 3
Do women have more leisure time than men?
Is leisure time important to everyone?
What are the differences between the outdoor activities children did in the past and now?
What outdoor activities do people like?