IELTS Speaking Part 2 can feel intimidating at first. It is the one part of the interview where you speak alone, in a long turn, for one to two minutes. There is no examiner to bounce questions off. It is just you and a topic card.

The good news is that Part 2 is very predictable. As of 2026, the format has not changed: you get a topic card, one minute to prepare, and then you speak for one to two minutes. Once you know the structure and practice a few times, it becomes one of the most manageable parts of the test.

This guide gives you everything you need to practice. You will find a clear explanation of the Part 2 format, a simple method for using your one minute of prep, a fully worked example with notes and a sample answer, and 22 practice topic cards. Let’s get started.

What is IELTS Speaking Part 2?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is the “long turn.” The examiner gives you a topic card with a question on it. You then have one minute to prepare and one to two minutes to speak on the topic by yourself. After you finish, the examiner usually asks one or two short follow-up questions to round off the section.

You are given a pencil and paper to make notes during your preparation minute. You can keep the card in front of you the whole time you speak.

Every Part 2 topic card follows the same four-part shape:

1. The main topic. Usually a short instruction that starts with “Describe…” For example, “Describe a time when you gave someone advice.”
2. Three “you should say” points. These are specific things to include, such as “to whom you gave the advice” and “what the advice was.”
3. A final “and explain why” prompt. This asks for the reason or significance behind the topic. This is the part that needs the most depth.

Because the shape is always the same, you can practice a repeatable approach. You cannot predict the exact topic, but you can predict how the card will be built.

Pro tip: The “and explain why” prompt is where the highest-scoring answers earn their marks. The three bullet points are easy to list quickly. The “why” is where you show real fluency, so plan to spend most of your speaking time there.

How Part 2 is scored

Your whole Speaking test is scored on four criteria, each carrying equal weight (according to IELTS):

• Fluency and Coherence: Can you speak at a natural pace, without too much hesitation, and connect your ideas in a logical order?
• Lexical Resource: Do you use a range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Do you use a variety of sentence structures correctly?
• Pronunciation: Are you easy to understand?

Notice that none of these criteria reward you for a “perfect” topic. The examiner is listening to how you speak, not whether you have an impressive story. This is freeing: you do not need a dramatic life event to score well. A simple, well-organized answer about an ordinary topic scores higher than a rambling answer about an exciting one.

One more reassuring fact: IELTS Speaking is always scored by a real human examiner, never by AI. You take Part 2 either face-to-face or through a video call, but a trained examiner listens to you in both formats.

How to use your one minute of prep time

One minute feels short, but it is enough if you have a plan. Here is a simple three-step method you can use for any topic card.

1. Read the card and pick a real example (about 15 seconds). Do not search for the “perfect” answer. Choose the first true example that comes to mind. A real memory is easier to talk about than an invented one.
2. Jot a few key words, not sentences (about 35 seconds). Write one or two words next to each point on the card. These are reminders, not a script. You will not have time to write full sentences, and you should not read from your notes anyway.
3. Plan your “why” (the rest of your time). Spend your remaining seconds thinking of two reasons or details for the “and explain why” prompt. This is the part that needs the most depth, so it deserves the most planning.

The goal of notes is to stop you from going blank, not to write a speech. A few clear key words will carry you through all four parts of the card.

Sample Part 2 question and answer

Let’s walk through a complete example, from the topic card to the prep notes to the spoken answer.

The topic card

Describe a time when you gave someone advice.

You should say:

• to whom you gave the advice
• what the advice was
• whether that person took your advice

and explain why you gave the person that advice.

Sample prep notes

Here is what a set of one-minute notes might look like. They are just key words. (For clarity, these notes are a little fuller than what you would actually have time to write.)

Who / the situation

• friend, failing school
• almost off basketball team, risk to college
• had ability, just not doing homework

What advice

• apply herself, more time on homework
• less TV, fewer video games

Did she take it?

• yes — stayed on team, got into college, kept good habits

Why (the important part)

• I cared about her future
• saw she had the ability, just needed a push

Notice that the notes are short. They are reminders of ideas, not full sentences.

Sample spoken answer

Here is a sample response built from those notes.

“When I was in secondary school, my best friend was doing very poorly in her classes, and she really needed some advice. She was about to be removed from the basketball team because of her low grades, and I was worried she might not get into university.

She wasn’t struggling because of a lack of ability. In fact, she was clever and always knew the answers in class. The problem was that she disliked homework, so she often skipped it and watched television all evening instead. I told her she needed to take her studies more seriously and spend more time on her assignments. I suggested she could find that time simply by watching less television.

I’m happy to say she took my advice, and it really helped her. She kept her grades up, stayed on the basketball team, and got into university. She even kept those good study habits in her university classes.

I gave her that advice because I cared about her future. I could see she had the ability all along. She just needed someone to give her an honest push.”

This answer covers each part of the card directly. It names who got the advice, what it was, and whether she took it, and then it spends the final, longest section explaining why. Once you start saying these ideas out loud in full sentences, filling one to two minutes is easier than it looks.

How to structure your two-minute answer

A clear structure is the single biggest thing you can control in Part 2. Examiners are listening for coherence, which means your ideas should follow a logical order. Use this simple flow:

1. Start with a direct answer. Restate the topic in one sentence so the examiner knows exactly what you are describing. (“I’d like to talk about the time I gave advice to my best friend.”)
2. Cover the three bullet points in order. Spend one or two sentences on each. Do not rush, but do not over-explain here either.
3. Spend the most time on the “why.” This is where you slow down, add reasons, and give specific details. Aim for at least two supporting points.
4. Round it off. A short closing sentence signals that you have finished and shows control of your timing.

To connect these parts, use natural linking phrases. Words like to begin with, the main reason, in fact, for example, and in the end make your speech flow and directly support your Fluency and Coherence score.

Pro tip: If you run out of things to say before the time is up, do not stop and go silent. Add an example, a comparison, or a feeling. (“This reminds me of another time when…”) The examiner will tell you when to stop, so keep speaking naturally until then.

22 IELTS Speaking Part 2 practice topics

Below are 22 practice topic cards covering the most common Part 2 themes. Use the method above on each one: pick a real example, jot key words, and plan your “why.” Try timing yourself with a free IELTS practice test to get used to the real pressure of one minute to prepare and two minutes to speak.

1. Free time

Describe an activity you enjoy doing on the weekends. You should say what the activity is and what it involves, when you first started doing it, and whether you do it alone or with other people. And explain why you enjoy the activity.

2. School

Describe a class you took that was very memorable. You should say when you took the class, where you took it, and the subject of the class. And explain why the class was so useful.

3. Travel

Describe your favorite method of travel. You should say what the method of travel is, how often you travel by this method, and whether it is cheap or expensive. And explain why this method of travel is your favorite.

4. Work

Describe your dream job. You should say what the job is, the job requirements, and the activities done on the job. And explain why this job is your dream job.

5. Family

Describe an important tradition in your family. You should say what the tradition is, how it is celebrated, and when it is celebrated. And explain why the tradition is important to your family.

6. Hometown

Describe a place you enjoy going to in your hometown. You should say where it is, how often you go there, and what you do there. And explain why you enjoy going to this place.

7. Friends

Describe your best friend. You should say who this person is, how you met, and how often you see this friend. And explain why this person is your best friend.

8. Seasons

Describe your favorite season of the year. You should say which season it is, what the weather is like, and what you like to do during it. And explain why this season is your favorite.

9. Food

Describe a snack food you enjoy. You should say what the food is, what it tastes like, and how often you eat it. And explain why you enjoy this food.

10. Music, movies, books, and television

Describe a song that is very meaningful to you. You should say the name of the song, who sings it, and what the song is about. And explain why the song is meaningful to you.

11. Recreation, exercise, and sports

Describe a sport you find interesting. You should say what the sport is, whether you play it, watch it, or both, and how long you have been interested in it. And explain why you think the sport is interesting.

12. Holidays

Describe a holiday that you celebrate with other people. You should say what the holiday is, who you celebrate it with, and how you celebrate it. And explain why you celebrate this holiday with others.

13. Technology and the internet

Describe a technological device you recently purchased. You should say what the device is, what it can do, and whether you use it for fun, for work, or both. And explain why you purchased the device.

14. A typical day

Describe something you usually do at the beginning of the day. You should say what you do, why you do it, and how important it is. And explain why you do this thing at the start of the day.

15. Household

Describe an important piece of furniture in your house. You should say what it is, how long you have had it, and where it is in the house. And explain why that piece of furniture is important.

16. News and current events

Describe a recent news story that surprised you. You should say what happened, when it happened, and where it happened. And explain why you found this news story surprising.

17. Shopping

Describe a place where you often go shopping. You should say where it is, what you can buy there, and how often you go there. And explain why you often shop at this place.

18. Decisions

Describe a good decision you made. You should say what the decision was about, what you decided to do, and why you made the decision. And explain why you feel it was a good decision.

19. Art

Describe a piece of art that you think is good. You should say what kind of art it is, what it looks like, and where you saw it. And explain why you think this piece of art is good.

20. Gifts

Describe a gift that someone gave you. You should say who gave you the gift, what it was, and when you received it. And explain why the gift was given to you.

21. Kindness

Describe a kind thing you did for someone. You should say what you did, why you did it, and how the person responded. And explain the reasons that the act was kind.

22. Language learning

Describe a time you had difficulty learning a new language. You should say what language you were learning, what the difficulty was, and whether you overcame it. And explain why you found learning the language so difficult at the time.

Common Part 2 mistakes to avoid

A few habits hold students back in Part 2. Watch out for these:

• Memorizing whole answers. Examiners are trained to spot rehearsed, word-for-word responses, and a memorized answer lowers your score because it sounds unnatural and often does not fit the exact question. Practice the method, not a script.
• Listing without explaining. Saying “I gave advice to my friend, the advice was to study, and she took it” is too thin. Add reasons, details, and examples.
• Stopping too early. A 20-second answer cannot show enough language. Keep speaking until the examiner stops you.
• Going off-topic. Stay connected to the card. It is fine to add background, but keep returning to the main topic.
• Reading from your notes. Notes are reminders. If you read them aloud, your delivery sounds flat and unnatural.

What’s new for IELTS Speaking in 2026

The Part 2 format, timing, and scoring are the same in 2026 as they have been. Two developments are still worth knowing about, because they affect how you should prepare.

Speaking by video call is more common. IELTS now offers the Speaking test through a live video call in many locations, alongside the traditional in-person interview. The test itself is identical: a real examiner, the same three parts, and the same one-minute-prep, two-minute-talk structure for Part 2. The main difference is that the topic card is shown on the screen while you take notes on paper. If you book a video-call test, practice reading a prompt on a monitor and writing notes beside it so the setup feels familiar.

Examiners are stricter about memorized answers. Because so many sample answers circulate online, examiners pay close attention to responses that sound rehearsed. A memorized answer tends to come out too smoothly and too perfectly, which is a giveaway. This is one more reason to practice a flexible method rather than memorizing scripts. Natural speech, including the occasional pause or self-correction, scores better than a recited paragraph.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 FAQ

Can I choose my own Part 2 topic?
No. The examiner gives you the topic card, and you speak on that topic. You cannot pick a different one.

Do I have to talk about every bullet point?
The bullet points are there to help you, not to test you item by item. Covering them keeps your answer organized, but the examiner is scoring your English, not checking off the list. Focus on speaking well and addressing the topic.

What happens if I finish before two minutes?
If you stop early, the examiner may prompt you to keep going or will simply move on to the follow-up questions. Aim to speak for the full time, because a longer answer gives you more chances to show your English.

What if I run out of things to say?
Add an example, a feeling, or a comparison to a similar situation. You can also expand on the “why.” Keep speaking naturally until the examiner tells you to stop.

Can I ask for a different topic card?
No. You answer the card you are given. This is why practicing a flexible method matters more than hoping for an easy topic.

Is Part 2 the same in the Academic and General Training tests?
Yes. The Speaking test is identical for both Academic and General Training. Only the Reading and Writing sections differ.

Will the examiner stop me at exactly two minutes?
The examiner manages the timing and will stop you at the right moment. You do not need to watch a clock. Just speak until you are told to stop.

The takeaway

Timing and structure are the keys to IELTS Speaking Part 2. The most common challenge students face is either not speaking enough or running out of time. The fix is practice: do timed responses out loud, and learn how a few key words can carry you through one to two minutes.

Use the practice topics above, apply the one-minute prep method, and follow the same direct structure each time. The more you rehearse the process rather than memorizing answers, the more relaxed and natural you will sound on test day.

Remember that Part 2 also sets up Part 3, where the examiner asks deeper questions about the same theme. When you are ready, work through Part 3 of IELTS Speaking and Speaking Part 1, then see the big picture in our complete guide to common IELTS Speaking topics. For more strategy across the whole section, read our top 10 IELTS Speaking tips. And of course, Magoosh IELTS prep offers video lessons and speaking practice to help you get ready.

The IELTS Speaking test format has three parts. In this post, we will take a close look at each one and consider some IELTS Speaking tips and strategies to help you boost your score. We’ve also included a printable PDF cheat sheet that includes the Part 1, 2, and 3 tips from this page, but expands on them with additional explanations and examples!

Before we get to advice for the specific parts, let’s look at some general IELTS Speaking tips for self-study.

IELTS Speaking Tips and Tricks for Self-Study

Self study can be challenging, especially for an interactive English skill like speaking. Our lead instructor Eliot has made a great video of self-study advice for IELTS Speaking. And below that video, enjoy a list of Magoosh’s top 10 self-study tips and tricks!

Our students have found IELTS Speaking test tips 7 to 10 above to be especially useful. So Eliot has made a YouTube video that explores those 4 IELTS Speaking tips in even greater detail:

Here are ten self-study IELTS Speaking tips from Magoosh’s top IELTS experts.

Tip 1: During Practice, Be Relaxed!

Being relaxed and confident helps make your English more natural; that in turn helps fluency. Of course, on the real test, relaxing can be easier said than done. But if you practice giving responses without stress during self-study, you’re more likely to be confident on test day.

Tip 2: Expand Your Vocabulary, But Keep Things Simple.

Study vocabulary so that you can use a wide range of words with confidence. But remember, English speech has simpler vocabulary than highly academic written English. To see the right range of words, check out our article on IELTS Speaking vocabulary.

Tip 3: Practice Paraphrasing.

If you copy the exact words from your Part 2 topic card or repeat the exact words from your IELTS examiner, you’re not demonstrating your own language ability. To avoid this, spend some time practicing putting things into your own words.

Tip 4: Use a Variety of Grammar.

During self-study, when you say something out loud for a practice speaking response, try saying that same thing in a few different ways, with different grammar. This will help you understand the different ways you could say something on test day, and choose the best, most varied grammar.

Tip 5: Practice Both Intonation and Pronunciation

Remember that the sound of English (and any language!) is partly about pronunciation (the individual sounds) and partly about intonation (the tone and rhythm of the language). For intonation, this tutorial from the Magoosh TOEFL Blog (also applicable to IELTS) is a great place to start.

Tip 6: Be Confident, Even if You Have an Accent.

I say if you have an accent. But realistically, everyone has an accent. Even most native English speakers have pronunciation that’s at least a little different from the standard on the IELTS. And that’s OK! Don’t waste time trying to get rid of your accent during practice.

Tip 7: Record Yourself and Listen Back.

This is especially important for self-study. Magoosh IELTS lets its subscribers record and save their responses, but there are many other technologies– on your PC or on the web– that let you do this.

Tip 8: Review the Responses of Other Test-Takers.

This is one of the most important IELTS Speaking tips, a “must do” for self-studiers. Here again, Magoosh IELTS has you covered. But there are also plenty of excellent free ways to listen to other students’ model answers to sample questions on the Internet, such as this excellent page from the official IELTS website.

Tip 9: Find Others to Help You with IELTS Speaking

“Wait”, you might think. “Aren’t we talking about self-study? Yes, but self-study doesn’t always mean studying alone. Even if you aren’t taking a class or using a tutor, resources such as study partners, IELTS help forums, or Magoosh’s IELTS Speaking assessment can be useful.

Tip 10: Stay Disciplined and Follow a Plan.

For IELTS test self-studiers, this the is most important of the IELTS Speaking tips. Our page of IELTS study schedules can help you stay disciplined and plan-focused as you prepare for the whole IELTS exam. Or, you can make a similar plan of your own.

IELTS Speaking Tips for a High Score: Parts 1, 2, and 3

Now, for some IELTS speaking tips for each individual part of the Speaking exam. These tips will help you meet the marking criteria in the IELTS Speaking band descriptors. Read on for ways to get a high score!

IELTS Speaking Part 1

• Avoid simple answers. In Part 1, you’ll often be asked general questions about familiar topics that technically could be answered with just a word or two, or with a simple “yes” or “no.” But to get a great score, you’ll need to answer in greater detail. And since the topic of Part 1 is you, you should have plenty to say!
• But don’t give answers that are too long. Ultimately, on this first part of the test, the questions are still pretty simple. If you speak for too long on any one response, you risk going off topic. (See page 1 of our Speaking Strategies PDF for examples of an answer of the right length.)

IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Speak about every part of the topic. The Task card for Part 2 is a multipart question. Missing a part is one of the easiest ways to miss points!
• Stay focused. Make sure you respond very directly to the prompts on the page, and don’t discuss unrelated topics.
• Pay special attention to Feature 3 on the topic card. This part of the card requires an extended response with main points and supporting details. (For sample topic cards, see our post on IELTS Speaking Part 2.
• Keep those notes simple. You really can’t write that many notes in 60 seconds. Practice creating notes that use just a few words to reference each thing you’ll say.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

• Say what’s easiest. Give whichever opinion is easiest to state and explain. Your goal should be to provide fluent responses. That’s it. As much as possible, respond by discussing ideas you know how to express in English so you can display your skills, even if those are not your real ideas. In short, accuracy is key!
• When necessary, buy some time to think. The speed of Part 3 can be challenging. Sometimes, it may help you to slow things down so you can gather your thoughts before speaking. This is especially true if you don’t fully understand the examiner’s question. Fortunately, there are ways to buy time that won’t hurt your score!

  You can:

  1. Ask the examiner to repeat the question.
  2. Comment on the question.
  3. Introduce your idea.
  4. Ask about the meaning of a word.

  For examples of these tactics, see pages 3-4 of our IELTS Speaking Strategies PDF.

The IELTS Speaking test is the shortest part of the IELTS exam, lasting only 11-15 minutes. However, for many test-takers, this brief experience can seem to last an eternity! Speaking is a quick but intense in-person interview. It requires focus, creativity, and strong English skills to think of responses to the interviewer’s questions quickly.

This Guide to IELTS Speaking covers what you need to know about this short, but challenging part of the IELTS exam. We’ll start with basic (but important!) information to introduce you to IELTS Speaking and how it’s scored. The second half of the post focuses on each of the three main parts of the test, with tips and strategies to help you develop your approach. Read on to learn how to prepare for IELTS Speaking!

Table of Contents

IELTS Speaking: The Basics

IELTS uses either a test-booklet or computer format for its Reading, Writing, and Listening tests, all of which are completed together in one sitting. Speaking takes place separately. In most cases, Speaking interviews are scheduled on the same day as the booklet or computer test. However, sometimes the interview can be scheduled up to one week before or after you take the rest of the exam by booklet or computer. You will receive instructions about this when you register for the IELTS at your local test center.

When you take the Speaking test, you will enter a room where your examiner will be waiting to greet you. He or she will ask you to identify yourself, and your Speaking test will begin immediately after that. To get an idea of what the test is like, check out this short IELTS Speaking sample video. The student is answering IELTS Speaking questions in Part 1 of the exam.

The Speaking Test has three parts. We will look at each part in depth later in this post. For now, let’s just get familiar with each one.

IELTS Speaking Format: Parts 1, 2, and 3

IELTS Speaking Part 1 is like a personal interview. Speaking Part 1 lasts about 4-5 minutes. You will in introduce yourself and talk about IELTS Speaking topics related to your life and your experiences in response to the examiner’s questions. Think of this interaction as “small talk.” These are the kinds of questions you might exchange with someone you just met.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is called the “long turn.” In Speaking Part 2, you are given a question on a topic and some sub-points you must cover in your speech. You will have a minute to prepare a response, and your goal is to speak for about 2 minutes. The examiner may ask you some follow-up questions when you finish your short speech.

Finally, you’ll have a conversation on the same (or similar) issue you spoke about in Part 2 in IELTS Speaking Part 3. Speaking Part 3 will be a discussion, much like the first section of the exam (Part 1). However, the questions are more complicated because they require you to offer an opinion or some analysis. To illustrate, imagine your Part 2 topic is to describe a happy memory from your childhood. In Part 3, the examiner could ask you: “What are some important things a person should do in order to live a happy life?” Here, the theme of “happiness” connects both sections.

Scoring and Rules for IELTS Speaking Test

IELTS uses four scoring categories to assess your speaking skills. Make sure to look over these official “Speaking Band descriptors (PDF)”, which IELTS uses to assign Speaking Band scores. These band descriptors go from 0-9, with 9 being the highest. Here are some key takeaways:

• To get a band score of 9 in each of the categories, you need to show fluency/a full range of skills related to that scoring area.
• You can make a handful of errors in any/all scoring categories and still get a band score of 8.
• Hesitating too much and making too many mistakes will knock your score down to a band score of 7 in some categories.
• If you show up and are able to speak at least a litte, the minimum score you will get is a 2.
• You can only get a 0 if you don’t show up 😉

For a detailed overview, check out our guide to Speaking band descriptors with score improvement tips! Now, to help you understand the grading schema better, let’s take a look at each category.

Fluency & Coherence

Fluency and Coherence are measurements of a speaker’s ability to communicate logically, clearly, and without difficulty in English. In other words, this aspect of the official Speaking band descriptors measures your overall skill and confidence, relative to that of a native English speaker. While this can sound a little intimidating, Magoosh has you covered. We offer a guide to mastering Fluency and Coherence for Speaking.

Lexical Resource

On the Speaking rubric, Lexical Resource measures your ability to use words effectively–your command of spoken English vocabulary, in other words. To get a top score, use words in the correct context, with the correct meaning. And your word use is not just tested at the individual word level, but at the level of idioms and phrases. Want to know more? Again, we’ve got you covered! Our guide to Lexical Resource for Speaking will tell you everything you need to know.

Grammatical Range

To score well on grammatical range, you should not only have accurate grammar, but also grammar that is varied, yet natural. For more information on how to cultivate and use top-scoring grammar in Speaking, see our guide to Grammatical Range for the Speaking section of IELTS.

Pronunciation

Speaking also measures your pronunciation. Keep in mind that pronunciation involves more than just articulating or enunciating individual words correctly. Many students have even larger pronunciation problems at the sentence level. These problems occur when a student doesn’t have a feel for native-like rhythm or intonation patterns. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for most pronunciation issues. Generally, the best way to improve is to use your English in daily life.

If you can’t use English on a regular basis, then it can be helpful to listen to recordings of English speakers. Pause the recordings occasionally and attempt to pronounce entire sentences exactly the same way as the speaker. Try to copy the speaker’s tone (the rise or fall of the voice). Also try to copy how the speaker speeds up, slows down, and pauses throughout the sentence. Even try to mimic the speaker’s emotion! You may feel a little silly doing this exercise, but that is actually a sign you’re doing it correctly! Over time, you will develop your ear to hear the sounds of English and reproduce them more accurately.

For more information on how to truly excel in English pronunciation on the exam, see our guide to Pronunciation on IELTS Speaking.

IELTS Speaking Preparation Tips

Just knowing the band descriptors from the IELTS rubric for speaking isn’t enough to boost your score, though. You need to apply that knowledge to your responses!

Never fear! Listen to this podcast on how to prepare for IELTS Academic Speaking with our experts, Eliot and Naomi. Then, read on for the top five IELTS Speaking preparation tips to help you get ready for test day!

1. Avoid common mistakes: Filler verbs, repetition…there are some habits that are common in everyday speech–but that will hurt your IELTS score. Learn more about which common IELTS Speaking mistakes to avoid to bring your score up on test day!

2. Ask your examiner for clarification: If you weren’t sure what the question was or need to hear it again, don’t worry! You can definitely ask for clarification from your examiner. It’s far better than giving an off-topic response, which will seriously hurt your score. But don’t ask your interviewer to define a word!

3. Use notes to plan your response for Speaking Part 2: It can be seriously tough to remember everything you want to say in Part 2. But don’t worry! You can use notes. Here’s how to take helpful IELTS Speaking notes.

4. Work on overcoming test day nervousness: Test anxiety is real–but it can be overcome. Here’s what to do to make sure you beat stress on the IELTS!

5. Try to make it sound natural: One of the best ways to do this? Use natural connectors in your responses.

IELTS Speaking Resources

Practice Tests

• IELTS Speaking Diagnostic Test
• Magoosh’s free IELTS Practice Test

Tips and Resources

• IELTS Speaking Strategies for Parts 1, 2, and 3 (PDF)
• IELTS Speaking Topics PDF
• How to Compare and Contrast in IELTS Speaking
• Giving an Opinion in IELTS Speaking
• How to Express Likes and Dislikes in IELTS Speaking
• Useful Prompt Phrases on IELTS Speaking
• Top 10 IELTS Speaking Tips

Videos

• How to Score Band 8+ on IELTS Speaking
• Self-Study Tips
• How to Greet the Examiner
• What to Do When You Get Stuck

Podcast

• How to Prepare for IELTS Academic Speaking

Study Resources

Looking for a plan to help you map out your studying? Check out Magoosh’s IELTS study schedules! We have a plan for everyone–even if you only have one week to study for IELTS!

Books

Official IELTS practice tests and textbooks with practice exams can also be fantastic resources for IELTS Speaking preparation. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS includes a DVD with videos of Speaking sample responses representing a variety of Band scores. And don’t forget to check out our post on the best IELTS books and resources that may help you in Speaking and other areas of the IELTS.

We hope this guide on how to prepare for IELTS Speaking was useful for you. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can reference these resources and tips throughout your studies!

Speaking off the cuff in front of people you don’t know in a high-stakes situation sounds a lot like the beginning of a sweat-inducing nightmare. It certainly can be for me! Luckily, you can avoid this nightmare (at least for IELTS Speaking questions) by preparing for the common IELTS Speaking topics that examiners may ask. Let’s go over some useful resources in preparing for the speaking tasks. This will hopefully make the IELTS Speaking tests less nightmarish!

Click the button below to download the free IELTS Speaking Topics PDF!

Common IELTS Speaking Topics for Parts 1, 2, and 3

Let’s discuss some common categories for IELTS speaking topics as well as the context in which these questions will be posed to you.

Topics for IELTS Speaking Parts 1 and 3

In Speaking parts 1 & 3, you won’t have any time to prep your response. Each part will take between 4-5 minutes.

The speaking topics and questions will be about yourself and things related to you. These questions will range from topics and questions like:

• Friends: Do you stay in contact with your childhood friends, and how?
• Food: Do you enjoy eating out at restaurants? Why or why not?
• Hometown: What do you most like about your hometown?
• Daily routine: What does your morning routine look like?
• Weather: What do you like to do when it rains?
• Travel: Do you prefer to fly or drive, and why?

While the two parts are very similar, there are two important differences. Part 3’s topic will relate to part 2’s topic. So, if part 2 talks about travel, the part 3 topic will relate to travel as well.

Part 3 questions will also be more detailed and abstract than part 1. Here’s an example. Let’s say the Speaking test’s topic is travel. A part 1 Speaking question will ask something like this: “Where did you visit on your most recent holiday?” Pretty straightforward stuff.

A part 3 Speaking question might be something like this: “Do you think governments should invest more in mass transit or should governments just focus on building roads?”

If you’d like to see more resources for Speaking part 1 and part 3 topics, check out these posts:

• IELTS Speaking Topics Part 1: IELTS Speaking Questions with Answers
• IELTS Speaking Topics Part 3: Questions with Answers

IELTS Speaking Questions for Part 2

In part 2, you’ll be given a cue card that includes a detailed, multi-part question. You have one minute to prepare for a 1-2 minute response. (Heads up: The examiner could ask some follow-up IELTS Speaking questions, so be ready to elaborate on your response!)

Here’s an example of the sort of cue card you might be given in this part:

• Describe a time you travelled with someone that was very memorable
  • You should say:
    • who did you travel with and why
    • how did you travel with them and to where
    • what were some memorable moments
  • and explain why this trip was so memorable

Beyond this example, there are many more IELTS Speaking questions and test topics and that the examiner can ask. But hopefully this list gave you a sense of the sort of topic and question you’ll most likely encounter on your test day. If you’d like to review more IELTS Speaking part 2 topics, check these posts out:

• IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2: Questions with Answers
• Magoosh’s Free IELTS Speaking Topics PDF

A Free Three-Part IELTS Speaking Test From Magoosh

Now, if you’d like to apply your newfound knowledge of Parts 1, 2, and 3, you can take this simulated full IELTS Speaking test. In this video practice test, your interviewer will be Eliot, our lead IELTS instructor.

Final Thoughts and Tips for IELTS Speaking Topics

We’ve covered what some of the common speaking topics are, where to find IELTS Speaking test topics, and how to include these topics into your daily studies. But, beyond knowing the common topics for the IELTS speaking test and the contexts in which they’ll need to be discussed, is there anything else you can do to improve your study sessions? Well, one thing you can do is check out our Complete Guide to IELTS Speaking. And beyond that, here are some additional ideas:

• Record some of your practices: Listen to see if you’ve answered the question and enunciated clearly. Notice any unnatural pauses or mannerisms that could confuse someone.
• Ask a friend to listen to some of your responses to the IELTS Speaking questions: If they’re even a little confused about your response, use that moment of confusion to see where the disconnect might be.

If you’d like someone to grade your Speaking responses, Magoosh offers several options for getting your Speaking responses graded:

• IELTS Speaking Focused Plan
• Other Magoosh IELTS Plans

Using common IELTS speaking topics in this way will help develop your speaking skills. Happy studying!

In IELTS Speaking, your score is rated based on the official IELTS Speaking rubric. The categories in the rubric are Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. In this post, we’ll look specifically at Fluency and Coherence; links to our guides to the other three categories are provided at the end of the article.

What is fluency and coherence for IELTS Speaking?

When it comes to the IELTS Speaking band descriptors, Fluency and Coherence are used to measure a speaker’s ability to communicate logically, clearly, and without difficulty in English. For Fluency, a perfect band score of 9 means the speaker doesn’t have to pause to recall words, or mentally review grammatical structures. The speaker can focus on the message she wishes to convey rather than the language needed to say it.

Coherence is related to fluency, but slightly different. It measures how well a speaker’s ideas make sense together. A high Band score indicates that a person can use a variety of cohesive features, discourse markers, and prompt phrases with ease in order to articulate ideas in a clear and logical way.

The Major Points of IELTS Speaking Fluency and Coherence

For Fluency and Coherence, each band level of the rubric contains a few bullet points that describe ability in this dimension. These bullet points can be summed up into three main points regarding this skill. Read on for a detailed explanation of each of the three points.

Speed and Ease of Speaking

Do you speak at a similar speed as a native speaker? Are you able to speak without frequent self-correction and repetition?

Low-scoring responses in fluency and coherence are characterized by slowness formulating sentences. In a lot of cases, this happens because the student has to put a lot of effort towards making grammar and vocabulary choices.

High-scoring responses in fluency and coherence are characterized by their use of a “normal” speed. You don’t have to speak super quickly, but you should speak at approximately the same speed as the average native speaker. If you’re scoring in these higher bands, you’re using appropriate vocabulary on every topic without noticeable effort, while easily manipulating grammar to express ideas.

Structure and Logical Flow

Are your ideas easy to follow? Do they flow logically from one to the next?

Low-scoring responses in fluency and coherence have gaps in logic. In other words, ideas may not be connected in a way that makes sense (or a way that is clear). This is particularly true for longer responses. IELTS Speaking responses that are low-scoring in coherence also tend to overuse connecting words. They use the same transition words and phrases repeatedly.

High-scoring responses in fluency and coherence use a variety of cohesive features and discourse markers with ease. These are features that help communicate ideas clearly and logically, and without any noticeable gaps.

Effort in Responding

Can you speak at length about complex topics without a lot of obvious effort?

Low scoring responses in fluency and coherence have speakers who are unable to sustain lengthy responses without problems in fluency and/or coherence becoming clear.

High scoring responses in fluency and coherence have speakers who easily respond at length to the prompt.

The Other Categories on the Official Speaking Rubric

Of course, Fluency and Coherence is just one part of the bigger picture. Check out our guides for the other three parts of the rubric:

• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation
• The Complete Guide to the IELTS Speaking Rubric Categories (with tips and tricks)

Lexical Resource is one of the four scoring categories on the official IELTS Speaking rubric. In this post, we’re going to explore the Lexical Resource category in depth. And I’ll provide links to the Magoosh guides to the other four Speaking rubric categories at the end of this tutorial.

Introduction to Lexical Resource for IELTS Speaking

When it comes to the IELTS Speaking band descriptors, the Lexical Resource scoring category measures vocabulary. You will be assessed on your ability to use words appropriately (in the right context) and accurately (with the correct meaning). IELTS Speaking rewards test-takers with large vocabularies. If this is a concern for you, Magoosh offers free IELTS flashcards to help you learn words you should know for the IELTS! We also have a handy vocabulary lesson video below.

The examiner will be listening carefully to assess whether or not you can use a wide variety of words and phrases (which is good), or whether you use the same language over and over again (which is bad). Related to this, you will also be assessed on whether or not you can accurately paraphrase the examiner’s questions fluently.

The Finer Points of IELTS Speaking Lexical Resource

When you look at the official IELTS Speaking rubric, you’ll see that each level has a few bullet points to describe what Lexical Resource skills look like at that particular band score. These bullet points can be summarized into three main points regarding the important skills you need to demonstrate to score well. Let’s explore those three points!

Ease in Responding

Can you easily respond to questions that cover a wide range of topics?

Low-scoring responses for lexical resource often have strong enough answers on Part 1 questions, but not on parts 2 and 3. Remember, to answer Part 1 questions, you can rely on vocabulary that is both used frequently in everyday life, and factual (for example, describing your hometown).

Part 2 and 3 questions require vocabulary that’s rarer in common daily interactions. Topics are more abstract, requiring a wider range of vocabulary to answer fully.

High-scoring responses for lexical resource are produced by students who do not struggle to find appropriate words when discussing Part 2 and 3 questions (this also relates to Fluency & Coherence).

Paraphrasing

How well can you paraphrase the questions you’re asked in the interview?

Low-scoring responses for lexical resource use language found in the questions frequently.

High-scoring responses for lexical resource alter the language from the questions by using synonyms and changing sentence structures.

Here’s what the difference between these responses looks like in practice:
 
Q: What is your normal weekday routine?

• A: My normal weekday routine is to get up around 7:00am.
• A: During the work week I typically wake up around 7:00am.

Idioms and Collocations

Do you use idioms and collocations (with accuracy) in your speech?

Low-scoring responses in lexical resource rarely use idioms or collocations. If they do have idioms, they are used with frequent errors.

High-scoring responses in lexical resource use idioms and collocations accurately and easily across a wide range of topics.

The Other Three Categories on the IELTS Speaking Rubric

Now that we’ve explored Lexical Resource in depth, let’s consider the big picture. Here are the Magoosh guides to the other three categories, so that you can learn to satisfy every aspect of the official IELTS Speaking score guide!

• Fluency and Coherence
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation
• The Complete Guide to the IELTS Speaking Rubric Categories (with tips and tricks)

Your grammar will be assessed on the Speaking exam, as indicated by the Grammatical Range category on the official IELTS Speaking rubric (see the end of this post for our guides to the other categories).

How to Score Well on Grammatical Range for IELTS Speaking

To score well on this aspect of the IELTS Speaking band descriptors, you should try to use a wide range of grammatical constructions appropriately and accurately. Keep in mind that your grammatical range score is not simply about avoiding grammar mistakes. Limiting errors is important. However, you can only reach a very high band score if you can also demonstrate that you have mastered complex sentence structures, verb tenses, and other advanced grammatical features.

If your grammar skills are limited, or you have a lot of grammar mistakes when you speak, it is especially important that you record yourself when you answer practice questions. Listen for errors that you make regularly and think about how you can fix them. Get feedback on your grammar from a native English speaker if at all possible. If you have enough time before your exam (a few months or more), consider taking a class or investing in a good grammar book for self-study.

What are the most important speaking skills to practice for Grammatical Range?

The official rubric for IELTS Speaking includes numerous bullet points that describe Grammatical Range and Accuracy at different band levels. These points can be summarized into two main points: using a good variety of grammatical forms, and using grammar with minimal error. Below, I’ll talk about these points in greater depth, giving tips and examples.

Using a Range of Grammatical Structures

Do you use a wide range of grammatical structures, including grammatical forms that are considered “advanced?”

Low-scoring responses for grammatical range and accuracy can have a variety of issues. Assess your recorded responses. Do you notice either of the following patterns?

• Relying mainly on simple sentence patterns (subject + verb).
   
• Overusing the BE verb as the main verb of a sentence (am, is, are, was, were). It is not incorrect or necessarily bad to use BE as a main verb. Even non-native speakers tend to overuse it. However, it does lead to a lot of repetition, and actively trying to limit BE verb use can be a fantastic language development exercise. BE is very limiting as a main verb for several reasons. Not only do you lose the descriptive possibilities of other verbs, but sentences also tend to follow one pattern: Subject / complement. Furthermore, overuse of BE does not permit adverb or adverbial phrases/clauses, leading to an overreliance on nouns and adjectives for description.

High-scoring responses for grammatical range and accuracy use a wide range of sentence patterns and grammatical structures accurately and appropriately. There are a lot of word types and structures to master. As you work on your improving your performance on the IELTS Speaking rubric, evaluate how well you use structures like these with ease:

• Connectors like transition words/phrases
• Coordination
• Subordination
• Gerund subjects
• Passive voice
• Noun, adverb, adjective clauses
• Modal verbs
• Irregular verbs
• Transitive vs. intransitive verbs
• Pronouns
• Verb tenses

The important thing here is to evaluate, rather than spend a lot of time studying, each area. When studying for IELTS, it’s not a good idea to spend a significant amount of time studying tenses that occur rarely in the course of regular interactions, like past perfect progressive or even future perfect. It is a much better use of time reviewing the complexities of the most common verb tenses. Not sure what those are? Here’s a quick refresher:

• Simple present
• Simple past
• Present continuous
• Present perfect
• Past continuous
• Future simple
• Future continuous

Learn more in our complete guide to the 12 English verb tenses.

Avoiding Frequent Grammar Errors

Do you make frequent grammar errors when you speak?

Low-scoring responses for grammatical range and accuracy make consistent “systematic” errors. These are errors that reveal you’re having problems with a particular feature of English grammar–let’s say adjective clauses or verb tenses. In other words, they are repeated errors in the same grammatical errors.

High-scoring responses for grammatical range and accuracy can have occasional grammar mistakes! Making a few mistakes doesn’t mean that you can’t still score very high for grammar in the speaking section. However, the mistakes should be isolated, not revealing general gaps in your grammar.

What are the other IELTS Speaking rubric categories?

In addition to Grammatical Range and Accuracy, the official IELTS Speaking rubric also calculates scores based on fluency, pronunciation, and lexical resource (word use). Here are our tutorials for those other three aspects of the rubric:

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Pronunciation
• IELTS Speaking Rubric Categories (with tips and tricks)

On the official score guide for IELTS Speaking, there are four rubric categories: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. In this article, we’ll look at pronunciation. But at the end of the post, you can click to access our guides to the other three aspects of the Speaking rubric.

For this category of IELTS Speaking band descriptors, top band scores only go to those whose pronunciation is “effortless” for a native English speaker to understand. Scores are reduced for mispronunciation, especially if pronunciation problems make it difficult to comprehend a speaker’s message.

Breaking Down IELTS Speaking Pronunciation

The rubric uses numerous bullet points to describe pronunciation skills at different levels. These points can be boiled down to two main points when it comes to Speaking pronunciation: is your speech understandable, and how English-like are the sounds you use? Both points are explored in greater depth below.

Clarity

How difficult is it for others understand your speech?

Low-scoring responses for pronunciation are generally understandable, but mispronunciations reduce clarity.

High-scoring for pronunciation are easy to understand. Accent does not affect clarity. Accent-free is not necessary for a great score, and might take more time than you have to achieve. It’s better to spend that time working on other areas of your IELTS Speaking band score!

Pronunciation Features

Do you use the pronunciation features of English?

Low- and high-scoring responses in pronunciation often show a different level of mastery in the following areas:

• Individual sounds: Every language has its own pronunciation features that make certain English sounds harder to produce than others (w vs. v / th / r vs. l / et cetera).
   
• Word stress: Every word of two syllables or more has a predictable stress pattern. Keep in mind that these differ occasionally among the various English accents.
   
• Rhythm: Native speakers tend to slow down and place more emphasis on the keyword of each phrase. This is highly context specific; just keep in mind that you should emphasize the most important idea in each phrase slightly more.
  Here’s what intonation can do in practice:
   
  • Did you give the paper to Jim?
  • No, I gave the paper to ALICE.

   
  versus
   

  • Did you give the paper to Jim?
  • No, I gave the BALL to Jim. I gave the PAPER to Alice.

   

• Intonation: Following very similar rules as rhythm, intonation can change the meaning of a sentence. Native speakers tend use the rising and falling tones to emphasise the keywords in each phrase, but also to indicate when they are asking a question (often a rising tone at the end of a yes/no question, especially in American English), or when they have completed a thought (with a falling tone). The rules for intonation are highly complex and vary greatly.

The Other Speaking Rubric Categories

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Magoosh offers guides to all four categories on the IELTS Speaking rubric. Click the links below to explore the rest of the official Speaking band descriptors in-depth!

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• The Complete Guide to the IELTS Speaking Rubric Categories (with tips and tricks)

In this article, we’re going to explore IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions and answers. Read on to learn all about IELTS Speaking topics Part 1! (And feel free to use this as supplemental reading if you follow one of the Magoosh IELTS study plans; this post is an especially good quick reference for our one week IELTS study schedule.)

What’s in IELTS Speaking Part 1?

Anxious about stating your IELTS interview? Rest easy. Preparing for IELTS Speaking questions Part 1 should be a breeze as you just so happen to be an expert on the topic: you.

As described in a previous article on the IELTS speaking test topics, the first four to five minutes of the interview gives you and the interviewer a chance to get to know one another. You can expect him or her to tell you a little bit about who they are, followed by a question that will invite you to confirm your identity and to say a little bit about yourself.

The interview is highly organized, so don’t worry about having to come up with anything to say. You’ll be guided with prompts and specific questions about your life. The point of this portion is merely to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to talk about everyday things. The interviewer needs to confirm that you can talk about your life with others in English, answering general questions, sharing some personal details and experiences, and giving your opinion about things that are relevant to you.

Sample IELTS Speaking Questions Part 1 with Answers

As you can see in the IELTS Speaking Part 1 question below, you won’t have to worry about not knowing what to say after the initial greeting. For example, after having introduced him or herself, the interviewer might ask about your home, either in terms of your hometown, or the housing you live in. For a typical example of this, check out this official set of IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions.

To help you practice exploring these kinds of IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics out loud (or in writing if a conversational partner is not available), here are a few warmup sample topics and questions, with example answers:

Family Questions with Sample Answers

• In what ways is your family typical or unique?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: My family is really typical in size; we are just my mother, my father, my sister, and me. We are not so typical in work and education. All of us work in health care, even me!

• How would you describe your relationship with your family?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: Right now, I guess I’m kind of distant from my family. I recently moved abroad. I still talk to them on webcam once a week, but it’s different than when I lived with them before I left.

• What kinds of things do you do with your family?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: When I lived with them, we liked to play board games together. Sometimes, now that I’m further away, we do online video games together. And of course, during holidays, we get together and talk on Zoom, or sometimes travel to meet each other and celebrate for big holidays, like Christmas.

Work and Study Questions with Sample Responses

• Are you a student or do you work?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: Actually, I’m just a student right now. I quit my job to focus on my English studies, so I can pass the IELTS and get into university. My hope is to start a real degree next term.

• What are you studying in school, and why did you choose it?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: Well, as I said, right now, I’ve chosen to study English, so I can get into a university here in Canada, but, I, um, would like to study pre-medicine after that. This is kind of an influence from both parents since my mom and dad are doctors. But also, I really like the idea of helping the sick.

• How do you prepare for a test at your school?

EXAMPLE ANSWER: My study habits for the tests? Hmm… I like to look at my notes from class and then rewrite them. Actually, I rewrite my notes about five times before the test. Then I try to get good rest the night before I take it!

As you can see, answers can be relatively short. Your responses will also be very conversational. When you answer the next question, you can reference the responses you gave to earlier questions. This will help you come up with things to say and speak with confidence.

IELTS Speaking Questions Part 1: Common Topics

Just so you know, though, family and work/school are just two possible topics out of many. Now that you’ve looked a little at those common topics, let me show you some additional topics with sample questions. For these categories, I’ve included follow-up questions to some of the questions. Your interviewer will sometimes ask you these follow-up questions, but may also wait to see if you can give follow-up information on your own rather than giving a really short answer. (These topics come from our IELTS Speaking Topics PDF, which contains even more example Speaking questions!)

Free Time

Travel

Work

Hometown

Friends

Family

School

Work

Weather/Climate

Recreation, Exercise, Sports

Food

On a typical day…

Household

Music, Movies, Books, Television

Traditions and Celebrations

News and Current Events

Technology, Internet, etc…

Shopping

Other

 
When you feel ready, get real-world practice with this speaking interview from our IELTS expert Eliot!
 

Final Tips for IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions

Clearly, you won’t have to do any research to learn about the possible topics covered in IELTS Speaking questions Part 1. In order to prepare, try chatting with friends about topics such as family, your interests, values, and beliefs, what you do for work, or perhaps your studies. Remember that the interviewer needs to get you talking, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be asked yes or no questions without the need to also explain why.

Also remember that Part 1 is followed by a very different Speaking task: the “long turn” speech you give in IELTS Speaking Part 2. From there, Speaking Part 3 brings you back to a more conversational speaking style. For topics that may appear across all three sections, and more info on the differences between the sections, see our Common IELTS Speaking Topics article.

It will be helpful to exercise having to do so. Review speaking skills and grammar essentials with your Magoosh IELTS prep.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 features follow-up questions based on the topic card and short speech that you give in Part 2. Read on for information, tips, and practice materials for IELTS Speaking questions, Part 3. (And you can go here for a guide to IELTS Speaking topics that could appear in Part 3, or Parts 1 and 2!)

What happens in IELTS Speaking Part 3?

Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking exam should feel like a smooth transition from Part 2. The first topic of IELTS Speaking Part 3 will always relate to the topic of your Part 2 monologue in some way. Yet, this time you will not have any time to prepare your responses. Instead, your responses will be conversational, similar to the responses you give in IELTS Speaking Part 1.

Take a few minutes to look at these official Part 3 questions and responses (here is the transcript) to get a good sense of what will happen.

As you might imagine, the number of questions you receive in IELTS Speaking Part 3 depends on how much you say in your responses. If your answers are very short, you may get a lot of questions. If you speak with more depth, you will receive fewer questions. In general, you can expect that the examiner will cover 2 – 3 different IELTS speaking topics in Part 3.

Part 3 Questions and Sample Responses

Part 3 questions can be tough to answer because they require detailed and complex answers. What does help, though, is that they will be a logical extension of your Speaking Part 2 topic card. To give you an example of what to expect, let’s first revisit the first example topic card from our article on IELTS Speaking Part 2. From there, we’ll look at some possible Part 3 3 follow-up questions.

IELTS Speaking Topic Card

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Follow-Up Questions, With Sample Answers

More Example Questions from Speaking Part 3

Below, we’ll look at some additional example questions that you might see in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Interview. This time, we’ll focus just on the part three questions, with 11 example topic categories. But if you want to see the original topic cards that would precede these questions, check out the first 11 topic cards in our post for IELTS Speaking Part 2 questions. (Also note that these IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions come from our IELTS Speaking Topics PDF. Click the button below to get a free PDF with more topics for all three parts of IELTS Speaking!

1. Free Time

2. School

3. Travel

4. Work

5. Family

6. Hometown

7. Friends

8. Seasons

9. Food

10. Music, Movies, Books, Television

11. Recreation, Exercise, Sports

To succeed in IELTS Speaking Part 3, you must remain calm and focused on the examiner’s questions. Your only job is to demonstrate your English abilities by responding with as much detail as you can. Your goal should be 1) to provide a direct and clear answer to each question and, 2) to support each answer with at least 1 or 2 examples or details. When you’ve finished speaking, your examiner may ask you a follow-up question, or she may change the topic entirely! Just follow the examiner’s lead wherever the conversation goes. Good luck!

And be sure to look at the IELTS Speaking “big picture,” as seen in our Complete Guide to IELTS Speaking. Also consider using this article and our complete guide as a supplemental resource if you follow one of our IELTS study plans; we even specifically recommend these two blog posts in our one-week IELTS study schedule.