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IELTS Speaking Questions
Part 1 topics, Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 discussion questions. On IELTS HACKER you answer them in a video-call mock test, record yourself and get an instant band estimate.
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Start freePart 1 topics
Work or Studies
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What are you studying?
- Why did you choose your subject?
- What do you enjoy most about your studies or work?
- What is the most challenging part of your studies or job?
- Do you prefer studying alone or with other people?
- What would you like to learn in the future?
- Do you think your subject will be useful in your future career?
- What do you usually do after your classes or work?
- Would you like to change your job or subject in the future?
Hometown
- Where is your hometown?
- What is your hometown famous for?
- What do you like most about your hometown?
- Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?
- Is your hometown a good place for young people?
- What do visitors usually like to do in your hometown?
- Are there many places to relax in your hometown?
- What would you like to improve about your hometown?
- Would you like to live in your hometown in the future?
- What is the biggest difference between your hometown and your current city?
Home and Accommodation
- Do you live in a house or an apartment?
- Do you live with your family or on your own?
- How long have you lived in your current home?
- What is your favourite room in your home?
- What do you like most about your home?
- Is there anything you would like to change about your home?
- Do you prefer living in a large home or a small one?
- What kind of home would you like to have in the future?
- Do you spend much time at home?
- Is your neighbourhood a good place to live?
Daily Routine
- What time do you usually get up?
- What do you normally do first in the morning?
- Do you have the same routine every day?
- Which part of your day do you enjoy most?
- Are you usually busy during the day?
- What do you normally do in the evening?
- Is there anything you would like to change about your daily routine?
- Do you prefer busy days or relaxed days?
- How do you organise your time?
- Do you think having a regular routine is important?
Free Time and Hobbies
- What do you like doing in your free time?
- How often do you have free time?
- Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with others?
- Did you have the same hobbies when you were a child?
- Is there a hobby you would like to take up?
- Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
- What do you usually do when you feel bored?
- Why are your hobbies important for your own well-being?
- Have your interests changed in recent years?
- Would you rather spend your free time learning something or relaxing?
Weekends
- What do you usually do at weekends?
- Do you prefer staying at home or going out at weekends?
- Are your weekends usually busy?
- Do you spend weekends differently from weekdays?
- What did you usually do at weekends as a child?
- Do you plan your weekends in advance?
- Who do you usually spend your weekends with?
- What would an ideal weekend look like for you?
- Do you think weekends should be longer?
- Have your weekend activities changed over time?
Weather and Seasons
- What kind of weather do you like most?
- Which season is your favourite?
- What is the weather usually like where you live?
- Does the weather affect your mood?
- What do you usually do when it rains?
- Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?
- Does the weather affect your choice of clothes?
- What kind of weather is best for travelling?
- Has the weather in your area changed in recent years?
- Which season is the most enjoyable in your country?
Food and Cooking
- What kind of food do you like?
- What is a popular dish in your country?
- Do you enjoy cooking?
- What dishes can you cook?
- Do you prefer eating at home or in restaurants?
- How often do you eat out?
- Is there any food you disliked as a child but enjoy now?
- Do you like trying food from other countries?
- Do you think you have a healthy diet?
- Is there a dish you would like to learn to cook?
Music
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
- When do you usually listen to music?
- Do you have a favourite singer or musician?
- Did you listen to music often when you were a child?
- Do you prefer listening to music alone or with other people?
- Can music change your mood?
- Do you listen to music while studying or working?
- Have you ever attended a live music performance?
- Would you like to learn to play a musical instrument?
- Has your taste in music changed over time?
Reading and Books
- Do you enjoy reading?
- What kinds of things do you like to read?
- How often do you read?
- Did you read much when you were a child?
- Do you prefer printed books or e-books?
- Where do you usually read?
- Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
- Do you ever read news or articles online?
- What would encourage you to read more?
- Was reading an important part of your childhood?
Mobile Phones and Technology
- How often do you use your mobile phone?
- What do you mainly use your phone for?
- When did you get your first mobile phone?
- Which application do you use most often?
- Could you live without your phone for a day?
- Do you prefer using a phone or a computer for studying?
- Has technology made your life easier?
- Do you often buy new electronic devices?
- Do you feel you spend too much time on your phone?
- What technology would you like to use more in the future?
Internet and Social Media
- How often do you use the internet?
- What do you usually do online?
- Which social media platform do you use most?
- Do you prefer communicating online or face to face?
- Has the internet helped you with your studies or work?
- Do you follow educational content online?
- Have you ever learned a useful skill through the internet?
- What is the biggest advantage of social media for you personally?
- How do you check whether online information is reliable?
- Could you live without social media?
Friends
- Do you have many friends?
- What qualities do you value in a friend?
- How often do you meet your friends?
- Where do you usually meet your friends?
- Do you prefer having a few close friends or many friends?
- How do you keep in touch with friends who live far away?
- Is it easy for you to make new friends?
- Do you prefer making friends online or in person?
- What activities do you enjoy doing with your friends?
- Have your friendships changed as you have grown older?
Travel and Holidays
- Do you enjoy travelling?
- What kinds of places do you like to visit?
- Do you prefer travelling alone or with other people?
- How do you usually plan a trip?
- What do you normally take with you when travelling?
- Do you prefer relaxing holidays or adventurous holidays?
- What place would you most like to visit?
- Do you prefer travelling by car, train or plane?
- Have you ever had an interesting experience while travelling?
- What do you enjoy most about visiting a new place?
Public Transport
- What kind of public transport do you use?
- How often do you use public transport?
- Is public transport convenient where you live?
- Do you prefer public transport or private vehicles?
- Did you use public transport when you were a child?
- What is the most frustrating part of using public transport for you?
- Do you enjoy travelling by bus?
- Is public transport affordable in your city?
- How could public transport be improved?
- Do you plan to use public transport more often in the future?
Photography
- Do you enjoy taking photographs?
- What do you usually take pictures of?
- Do you prefer taking photos with a phone or a camera?
- How often do you take photographs?
- Do you like looking at old photographs?
- Do you prefer taking photos or being photographed?
- Have you ever taken a photograph you really liked?
- Do you edit your photos before sharing them?
- Do you take photographs when you travel?
- Do you think photographs are a good way to preserve memories?
Sports and Exercise
- Do you enjoy playing sports?
- What sports are popular in your country?
- Did you play sports when you were a child?
- Do you prefer watching sports or playing them?
- How often do you exercise?
- Do you enjoy walking?
- Do you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors?
- Is there a sport you would like to learn?
- What motivates you to stay physically active?
- Did your school encourage you to play sports when you were younger?
Shopping
- Do you enjoy shopping?
- What do you usually buy when you go shopping?
- Do you prefer shopping online or in physical shops?
- How often do you go shopping?
- Do you usually make a shopping list?
- Do you compare prices before buying something?
- Have your shopping habits changed over time?
- Do you prefer shopping alone or with other people?
- Have you ever bought something you regretted buying?
- Do you think online shopping will become even more popular?
Clothes and Fashion
- What kind of clothes do you usually wear?
- Do you prefer comfortable clothes or fashionable clothes?
- Is there a colour you particularly like wearing?
- Do you enjoy buying new clothes?
- How important is fashion to you?
- Do you wear different clothes for different occasions?
- Have your clothing preferences changed over time?
- Do you prefer buying clothes online or in shops?
- Do you wear traditional clothes on special occasions?
- Do you think about the impression your clothes make when you meet someone new?
Birthdays and Gifts
- When is your birthday?
- How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
- Do you enjoy celebrating birthdays?
- Did you celebrate birthdays differently as a child?
- Do you prefer a large celebration or a small gathering?
- What kind of birthday present would you like to receive?
- Is it easy for you to choose gifts for other people?
- What is the most memorable gift you have received?
- Do you think expensive gifts are always better?
- Do you prefer giving gifts or receiving them?
Festivals and Celebrations
- What is your favourite festival?
- How do people usually celebrate festivals in your country?
- What do you enjoy most about festivals?
- Did you celebrate festivals differently as a child?
- Do you prefer celebrating with family or friends?
- What special food do people eat during festivals in your country?
- Do you wear special clothes for celebrations?
- Have you ever celebrated a festival away from home?
- Why are local festivals important to you?
- Is there a festival from another culture you would like to experience?
Parks and Public Places
- Are there any parks near your home?
- How often do you visit parks?
- What do you usually do in a park?
- Do you prefer quiet parks or busy public places?
- What makes a public place enjoyable?
- Did you visit parks often when you were a child?
- Are there enough public spaces where you live?
- What improvements would you like to see in local parks?
- Do you prefer spending time outdoors or indoors?
- Why is it important for you to have a park nearby?
Neighbours and Neighbourhoods
- Do you know your neighbours well?
- What do you like about your neighbourhood?
- Is your neighbourhood quiet or busy?
- Are there useful facilities near your home?
- Do neighbours in your area help one another?
- Has your neighbourhood changed in recent years?
- Would you prefer to live in a city centre or a quieter area?
- What makes someone a good neighbour?
- Is your neighbourhood a good place for children?
- What would you improve about your neighbourhood?
Weather-related Activities and Outdoors
- Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?
- What outdoor activities do you enjoy?
- Do you prefer spending time outdoors in the morning or evening?
- What do you usually do on a sunny day?
- Do you enjoy going out when it rains?
- Are outdoor activities popular in your country?
- Did you spend more time outdoors as a child?
- Do you prefer the countryside or the city for outdoor activities?
- Does the weather affect your plans?
- What outdoor activity would you like to try?
Plants and Gardening
- Do you like plants?
- Do you have any plants at home?
- Have you ever grown a plant?
- Do you prefer flowers or green plants?
- Did you learn about plants at school?
- Do you think it is important to have plants at home?
- Would you like to have a garden?
- Do people in your country give flowers as gifts?
- Have you ever received flowers?
- Why do you think some people enjoy gardening?
Handwriting and Writing
- Do you often write by hand?
- Do you prefer handwriting or typing?
- Is your handwriting neat?
- Did you practise handwriting when you were at school?
- Do you feel it is important for you to maintain good handwriting?
- When do you usually need to write by hand?
- Do you enjoy writing notes?
- Has your handwriting changed over time?
- Do you prefer writing with a pen or a pencil?
- Do you think children should learn to write neatly?
Bags and What You Carry
- Do you usually carry a bag?
- What kind of bag do you use most often?
- What do you normally carry in your bag?
- Do you prefer backpacks or shoulder bags?
- How often do you buy a new bag?
- Have you ever lost a bag?
- Do you carry different things depending on where you go?
- What kind of bag did you use when you were at school?
- Do you prefer practical bags or fashionable ones?
- What would you consider before buying a bag?
Shoes
- What kind of shoes do you usually wear?
- Do you prefer comfortable shoes or fashionable shoes?
- How often do you buy new shoes?
- Do you have a favourite pair of shoes?
- Do you prefer trainers or formal shoes?
- Did you wear school shoes when you were a child?
- Do you buy shoes online or in shops?
- What do you consider when choosing a pair of shoes?
- Have your preferences for shoes changed over time?
- Do you think good shoes are worth spending money on?
Advertisements and Online Content
- Where do you usually see advertisements?
- Do you pay attention to advertisements?
- Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
- Do you prefer advertisements on television or online?
- What makes an advertisement memorable?
- Do advertisements ever influence what you decide to buy?
- Do you often skip online advertisements?
- Have you seen an advertisement you particularly liked?
- Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of advertisements you see?
- What kind of advertisements do you find useful?
Future Plans and Ambitions
- What would you like to achieve in the next few years?
- Do you usually make plans for the future?
- What skill would you most like to develop?
- Is there a country you would like to visit, live in or work in?
- What kind of job would you like to have in the future?
- Do you prefer making detailed plans or being flexible?
- Is there a personal goal you are currently working towards?
- How do you stay motivated when something is difficult?
- Have your ambitions changed since childhood?
- What would you most like to accomplish this year?
Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 questions
Describe a subject you enjoyed studying or a job you found interesting
You should say:
- what the subject or job was
- when you studied it or did the job
- what you learned from it
and explain why you found it interesting.
Part 3
- What factors influence young people's choice of career?
- How has technology changed the way people work?
- Is practical experience more important than academic qualifications?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?
- How can schools prepare students for their future careers?
Describe your hometown
You should say:
- where it is located
- what it is known for
- what people can do there
and explain what you like or dislike about it.
Part 3
- How have towns and cities changed in recent decades?
- Why do some people prefer living in small towns?
- What problems do people face when cities grow rapidly?
- How can local governments preserve a town's identity?
- Why do some people move away from their hometowns?
Describe a home you would like to live in
You should say:
- where it would be
- what it would look like
- who you would like to live with
and explain why you would like to live there.
Part 3
- Why do many people dream of owning their own homes?
- What are the advantages of renting rather than buying a home?
- How does the design of a home affect people's lives?
- What housing problems do people face in large cities?
- How might homes change in the future?
Describe a daily habit that is important to you
You should say:
- what the habit is
- when you developed it
- how often you follow it
and explain how it benefits you.
Part 3
- Why do people find it difficult to develop good habits?
- How can daily routines affect productivity?
- Do people have busier lives today than in the past?
- Should children follow a fixed daily routine?
- How can people achieve a better work-life balance?
Describe a hobby you enjoy
You should say:
- what the hobby is
- when you started doing it
- how often you do it
and explain why you enjoy it.
Part 3
- Why are hobbies important in people's lives?
- How have people's leisure activities changed over time?
- Should schools give students more time for hobbies?
- Why do some hobbies become expensive?
- How can hobbies help people make friends?
Describe a weekend that you particularly enjoyed
You should say:
- when it was
- what you did
- who you spent it with
and explain why you enjoyed that weekend.
Part 3
- How do people in your country usually spend their weekends?
- Why is leisure time important for workers?
- Do people have enough free time nowadays?
- How do weekends differ between children and adults?
- Should working hours be reduced to give people more free time?
Describe a season you particularly enjoy
You should say:
- which season it is
- what the weather is usually like
- what you enjoy doing during this season
and explain why you like it.
Part 3
- How does weather influence people's daily activities?
- Why do some people prefer living in places with a warm climate?
- How can extreme weather affect local communities?
- Do you think climate change has affected people's lifestyles?
- How can people prepare for extreme weather conditions?
Describe a meal you particularly enjoyed
You should say:
- what the meal was
- where and when you had it
- who you shared it with
and explain why you enjoyed it.
Part 3
- How have people's eating habits changed in recent years?
- Why is traditional food important to a country's culture?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating out?
- How can parents encourage children to eat healthily?
- Do you think people will cook at home less often in the future?
Describe a song or piece of music that you enjoy listening to
You should say:
- what it is
- when you usually listen to it
- how you discovered it
and explain why you enjoy it.
Part 3
- Why is music important in people's lives?
- How can music influence people's emotions?
- How has technology changed the music industry?
- Why do musical tastes differ between generations?
- Should music education be compulsory in schools?
Describe a book or written work that you found interesting
You should say:
- what it was
- when you read it
- what it was about
and explain why you found it interesting.
Part 3
- Why do some people enjoy reading more than others?
- How has digital technology changed reading habits?
- Should children be encouraged to read more books?
- What can people learn from reading fiction?
- Do you think printed books will disappear in the future?
Describe a piece of technology that you find useful
You should say:
- what it is
- when you started using it
- what you use it for
and explain why it is useful to you.
Part 3
- How has technology changed people's daily lives?
- What are the disadvantages of relying too much on technology?
- Should children be allowed to use smartphones?
- How might artificial intelligence change people's jobs?
- Do you think technology makes people more connected or more isolated?
Describe a time when you used the internet to learn something useful
You should say:
- what you wanted to learn
- which website or platform you used
- how you learned it
and explain how the experience helped you.
Part 3
- How has the internet changed education?
- What are the risks of sharing personal information online?
- Why do people spend so much time on social media?
- How can people identify misleading information online?
- Should governments regulate social media platforms more strictly?
Describe a friend who has had a positive influence on you
You should say:
- who the person is
- how you met
- what qualities this person has
and explain how they have influenced you.
Part 3
- How do people make friends as adults?
- What qualities are important in a lasting friendship?
- Can online friendships be as strong as face-to-face friendships?
- Why do some friendships end?
- How can parents help children develop social skills?
Describe a place you visited and would like to visit again
You should say:
- where the place is
- when you visited it
- what you did there
and explain why you would like to return.
Part 3
- Why do people enjoy travelling to new places?
- How can tourism benefit local communities?
- What problems can mass tourism cause?
- Do you think international travel will become more common?
- How can tourists reduce their environmental impact?
Describe a journey you made using public transport
You should say:
- where you were travelling
- what type of transport you used
- who you travelled with, if anyone
and explain what you thought about the journey.
Part 3
- Why is public transport important in large cities?
- Why do some people prefer private cars?
- How can governments encourage people to use public transport?
- What problems are commonly associated with public transport?
- How might transportation change in the next 20 years?
Describe a photograph that is special to you
You should say:
- what the photograph shows
- when it was taken
- who took it
and explain why it is important to you.
Part 3
- Why do people take photographs of important events?
- How has smartphone technology changed photography?
- Do photographs preserve memories accurately?
- Why do some people enjoy sharing photographs online?
- Will professional photographers still be needed in the future?
Describe a sport or physical activity you enjoy
You should say:
- what it is
- when you started doing it
- how often you do it
and explain why you enjoy it.
Part 3
- Why is physical activity important for children?
- What can governments do to encourage people to exercise?
- Why do some people prefer watching sports to playing them?
- How can professional athletes influence young people?
- Should schools give more importance to physical education?
Describe something useful that you bought
You should say:
- what you bought
- where and when you bought it
- why you needed it
and explain why you consider it useful.
Part 3
- How has online shopping changed consumer behaviour?
- Why do some people enjoy shopping more than others?
- What influences people when they decide to buy something?
- How can advertising affect consumer choices?
- Do you think people buy too many unnecessary things?
Describe a piece of clothing that you particularly like
You should say:
- what it is
- when you usually wear it
- where you got it
and explain why you like it.
Part 3
- Why do people care about fashion?
- How does clothing reflect cultural identity?
- Do you think people judge others by their appearance?
- How has social media influenced fashion trends?
- What environmental problems are caused by the fashion industry?
Describe a gift that you gave someone and that made them happy
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who you gave it to
- when you gave it
and explain why the person liked it.
Part 3
- Why do people give gifts on special occasions?
- Is choosing a thoughtful gift more important than spending a lot of money?
- How have gift-giving traditions changed over time?
- Why do some people prefer experiences to physical gifts?
- Should parents give children rewards for good behaviour?
Describe a festival or celebration that is important to you
You should say:
- what the festival or celebration is
- when and where it takes place
- how you usually celebrate it
and explain why it is important to you.
Part 3
- Why are festivals important to cultural identity?
- How have celebrations changed over the years?
- What are the benefits of celebrating festivals as a community?
- How can traditional festivals attract tourists?
- Should traditional customs be preserved even as society changes?
Describe a public place where you enjoy spending time
You should say:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what you usually do there
and explain why you enjoy spending time there.
Part 3
- Why are public spaces important in cities?
- How can parks improve people's quality of life?
- Should governments spend more money on public spaces?
- Why do some people prefer outdoor activities to indoor activities?
- How can cities make public places safer and more accessible?
Describe a neighbour you know or have known well
You should say:
- who the person is
- how long you have known them
- what kind of person they are
and explain what you like or dislike about them.
Part 3
- How have relationships between neighbours changed over time?
- Why is it useful to know your neighbours?
- What can people do to build a stronger local community?
- Why do some people prefer living in large cities?
- How can urban planning improve neighbourhoods?
Describe an outdoor activity that you would like to try
You should say:
- what the activity is
- where you would like to do it
- who you would like to do it with
and explain why you want to try it.
Part 3
- Why do people enjoy spending time outdoors?
- How can outdoor activities benefit children's development?
- Why do some people prefer indoor entertainment?
- How can cities provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation?
- Should natural areas be protected from excessive tourism?
Describe a plant or flower that you find interesting
You should say:
- what it is
- where you first saw it
- what it looks like
and explain why you find it interesting.
Part 3
- Why do people grow plants at home?
- How can gardening benefit people's well-being?
- Should children learn how to grow plants at school?
- How can cities create more green spaces?
- Why is it important to protect plant species?
Describe something important that you wrote by hand
You should say:
- what you wrote
- when you wrote it
- why you wrote it by hand
and explain why it was important to you.
Part 3
- How has technology changed the way people write?
- Is handwriting still an important skill?
- Why do some people have better handwriting than others?
- Should schools spend more time teaching handwriting?
- What are the advantages of writing notes by hand?
Describe a bag that you use frequently
You should say:
- what kind of bag it is
- when you bought or received it
- what you usually carry in it
and explain why you use it so often.
Part 3
- Why do people carry different types of bags?
- How have bags changed in design over time?
- Do people carry too many things with them nowadays?
- What should people consider when buying a bag?
- How can companies make bags more environmentally friendly?
Describe a pair of shoes that you particularly like
You should say:
- what the shoes look like
- when you bought them
- how often you wear them
and explain why you like them.
Part 3
- What factors influence people's choice of shoes?
- Why do some people spend a lot of money on footwear?
- How important is comfort compared with appearance?
- How does advertising influence footwear purchases?
- What can people do to reduce waste from unwanted shoes?
Describe an advertisement that caught your attention
You should say:
- where you saw it
- what product or service it promoted
- what it looked or sounded like
and explain why it caught your attention.
Part 3
- How do advertisements influence people's buying decisions?
- What makes an advertisement effective?
- How is online advertising different from traditional advertising?
- Should advertising aimed at children be restricted?
- How can people recognise misleading advertisements?
Describe a goal that you would like to achieve in the future
You should say:
- what the goal is
- why you want to achieve it
- what you need to do to achieve it
and explain how you would feel if you achieved it.
Part 3
- Why is it important for people to have goals?
- How do people's ambitions change as they grow older?
- Should parents influence their children's career choices?
- What is more important for success: talent or hard work?
- How can schools help students prepare for their futures?