The Speaking module of the IELTS test consists of 3 parts. Part 1 is named, “Introduction and Interview”. In part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, the candidate is asked a series of questions on common day-to-day conversational topics such as sports, music, films, art, vacations, travelling, hotels, celebrities and so on. These questions often require a short answer with some reasoning. Followed by that is part 2 which is named, “Long turn”. Although it is more popularly known as or referred to as “Cue card”. The reason why the original name is “Long turn”, is that in this part, the candidate gets a longer turn to speak i.e., the candidate is required to speak for 2 minutes on a given topic. The topic is, of course, given by the examiner either typed on paper if the exam is taking place face-to-face, or it is typed on a document and the shown to the candidate via screen-sharing if the exam is taking place online. Along with the topic, there are always 4 cues and hence, it came to be known as “Cue card”. Lastly, part 3 is named, “Discussion”. In this part of the test, candidates are again asked a series of questions on specific topics. However, the key difference here is that unlike part 1, the answers in part 3 are supposed to be rather detailed. Also, the questions will be a bit more complicated as well. Nevertheless, the IELTS speaking test does not involve any questions that require technical knowledge on any subject.
Below is a list of part 2 topics with accompanying cues for you to help familiarise yourself. Please note that it is never a good idea to prepare responses in advance because it will sound like memorised speech in the actual test and you will lose a lot of marks. When you look at IELTS Speaking topics, focus only on familiarising yourself i.e., becoming aware of the kind of questions to expect.
- Describe a person who gave you useful advice.
- who the person was
- what advice he or she gave you
- when you received the advice
- and explain why the advice was useful.
- Describe a skill you would like to learn.
- what the skill is
- how you would learn it
- how long it might take to learn
- and explain why you want to learn it.
- Describe a memorable journey you had.
- where you went
- who you went with
- what happened during the journey
- and explain why it was memorable.
- Describe a book you enjoyed reading.
- what the book was
- when you read it
- what it was about
- and explain why you enjoyed it.
- Describe a place in your country that tourists should visit.
- where the place is
- what people can see there
- what tourists can do there
- and explain why you recommend this place.
- Describe a teacher who influenced you positively.
- who the teacher was
- what subject he or she taught
- how he or she influenced you
- and explain why you remember this teacher.
- Describe a time when you helped someone.
- who the person was
- what help you gave
- why the person needed help
- and explain how you felt afterward.
- Describe an interesting conversation you had.
- who you spoke with
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
- and explain why it was interesting.
- Describe a piece of technology you use frequently.
- what it is
- when you started using it
- what you use it for
- and explain why it is important to you.
- Describe a family member you admire.
- who the person is
- what he or she does
- what qualities the person has
- and explain why you admire him or her.
- Describe a sport you enjoy watching.
- what the sport is
- when you usually watch it
- who you watch it with
- and explain why you enjoy watching it.
- Describe a time when you felt nervous.
- when it happened
- where you were
- why you felt nervous
- and explain how the situation ended.
- Describe a restaurant where you had a good meal.
- where the restaurant was
- who you went with
- what food you ate
- and explain why you enjoyed the experience.
- Describe a difficult decision you made.
- what the decision was
- when you made it
- why it was difficult
- and explain the result of your decision.
- Describe a film that made you think deeply.
- what the film was
- when you watched it
- what it was about
- and explain why it made you think deeply.
- Describe a place where you like to relax.
- where the place is
- how often you go there
- what you do there
- and explain why you find it relaxing.
- Describe a useful website or app.
- what it is
- how you discovered it
- how often you use it
- and explain why you find it useful.
- Describe an outdoor activity you enjoy.
- what the activity is
- where you do it
- who you usually do it with
- and explain why you enjoy it.
- Describe a famous person you would like to meet.
- who the person is
- what he or she is famous for
- what you would like to ask this person
- and explain why you would like to meet him or her.
- Describe a celebration you attended.
- what the celebration was
- where it took place
- who attended it
- and explain why it was memorable.
- Describe a hobby you would like to start.
- what the hobby is
- how you became interested in it
- what you need for this hobby
- and explain why you want to start it.
- Describe a song you enjoy listening to.
- what the song is
- when you first heard it
- what the song is about
- and explain why you enjoy listening to it.
- Describe a public place that needs improvement.
- what the place is
- where it is located
- what problems it has
- and explain how it could be improved.
- Describe a person who likes helping others.
- who the person is
- how you know this person
- what kind of help he or she gives
- and explain why you admire this person.
- Describe a time when you received good news.
- what the news was
- who told you about it
- when you received it
- and explain how you felt after hearing it.
- Describe a crowded place you visited.
- where the place was
- when you went there
- why it was crowded
- and explain how you felt about being there.
- Describe a subject you enjoyed studying in school.
- what the subject was
- who taught it
- what you learned in the subject
- and explain why you enjoyed studying it.
- Describe a successful person you know about.
- who the person is
- what he or she achieved
- what difficulties this person faced
- and explain why you think this person is successful.
- Describe a useful item you bought.
- what the item was
- where you bought it
- how often you use it
- and explain why it is useful.
- Describe a time when you laughed a lot.
- what happened
- who you were with
- what made you laugh
- and explain why you found it so funny.
- Describe a person who speaks a foreign language well.
- who the person is
- what language he or she speaks
- how this person learned the language
- and explain why you admire this person.
- Describe a time when you forgot something important.
- what you forgot
- when it happened
- what problems it caused
- and explain how you felt afterward.
- Describe a place where you enjoy spending time with friends.
- where the place is
- how often you go there
- what you usually do there
- and explain why you enjoy going to this place.
- Describe a television programme you enjoyed watching.
- what the programme was
- when you watched it
- what it was about
- and explain why you enjoyed watching it.
- Describe a person who has interesting ideas.
- who the person is
- how you know this person
- what kind of ideas he or she has
- and explain why you find these ideas interesting.
Certainly, this list will give you a good enough idea on the variety of day-to-day conversational topics that are used in the IELTS Speaking test. For any matter related to IELTS Speaking or any other module of the test, know that Amin Migration is here to guide you, every step of the way.