IELTS Speaking Topics – Part 1
We have lots and lots of IELTS speaking topics for you to practice with. We have speaking topics for parts 1, 2, and 3 of the IELTS speaking test. Just click the drop down menu to see the topics and practice questions. Parts 2 and 3 are grouped together because on the test the questions from part 3 will be related to the topic of part two.
You can also check out our overview of the IELTS speaking test to learn more about the parts or you can take a look at our IELTS speaking tips to improve you speaking score. One very important thing to remember for the IELTS speaking test, DO NOT memorize answers. You will lose points if the examiner suspects you have memorized an answer.
First the examiner will ask your name, what they can call, where you are from, and check your identification. Then they will move on to part 1.
The beginning of part 1 usually starts like this:
“Do you work or are you a student?” If you answer student, the examiner will ask questions about your schooling/school. If you answer work, the examiner will ask questions about your work/job.
OR
“Let’s talk about your hometown or village.” And then they will ask you questions about your hometown.
OR
“Let’s talk about your home.” An then they will ask you questions about your home. Next, the examiner will then usually ask you two sets of extra questions if there is enough time.
Examples of Part 1 Questions:
Friends
How often do you spend time with your friends?
What do you usually do with your friends? (Why?)
Who is your closest friend? (Why?)
Who is your newest friend?
Free time
How much free time do you have? (Why?)
What do you usually do when you have free time? (Why?)
Do you think you have enough free time? (Why? / Why not?)
Who has more free time, you or your parents? (Why?)
Fashion
Do you try to follow the latest fashions? (Why? / Why not?)
Do you know anyone who is very fashionable?
Is fashion important in your country? (Why? / Why not?)
Where do people go to buy fashionable clothes where you live? (Why?)
Dating
Is dating common in your culture? (Why? / Why not?)
Have you ever been on a date? (Why? / Why not?)
Where is a good place to have a date? (Why?)
Who should pay on a date? (Why?)
Travel
How often do you travel to new places?
Do you like traveling? (Why / why not?)
Where did you travel to last?
Do you prefer to travel by bus, train, car, boat, or plane? (Why? / Why not?)
Mobile phones
When did mobile phones become popular in your country?
How much time every day do you spend using a mobile phone?
Do you prefer to text or call people?
Do you prefer using a smartphone with a touch screen or buttons? (Why?)
Advice
Do you give people advice often? (Why? / Why not?)
Who gives you the best advice? (Why?)
Do you usually take other people’s advice? (Why? / Why not?)
What is the best piece of advice you received recently?
Changes
Do you like changes? (Why? / Why not?)
What was the biggest change in your life? (Why?)
What change have you made recently?
How has your hometown changed?
Art
Why types of art do you like?
How often do you go to art museums?
Who is a famous artist from your country?
Do you have any art in your house? (Why? / Why not?)
Movies
Do you like watching movies? (Why? / Why not?)
What was the last movie you saw?
What is your favorite type of movie? (Why?)
What do you usually eat or drink when you watch a movie? (Why?)
Fast food
How often do you eat fast food? (Why?)
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? (Why?)
What kinds of fast food do you usually eat?
Is fast food popular in your country? (Why? / Why not?)
Cars
Do you own a car? (Why? / Why not?)
What cars are popular in your country? (Why?)
Is there a lot of traffic in your hometown? (Why? / Why not?)
Are there too many or too few taxis where you live?
Hotels
How often do you stay at hotels?
Where was the best hotel you have stayed at?
Are there a lot of hotels around where you live?
What do you like or dislike about staying at a hotel?
Seasons
What season do you like the most? (Why?)
What do you usually do in summer?
What is the worst thing about winter?
Where do you like to go in the spring? (Why?)
Dreaming
Do you usually remember your dreams after you wake up?
Are dreams important in your culture? (Why? / Why not?)
What do you usually dream about when you sleep?
Do you know anyone who talks in their sleep?
Sleep
How many hours do you usually sleep?
Do you wish you could sleep more or less? (Why?)
What do you do if you can’t sleep?
Do you take naps during the day?
Pets
Does your family have a pet?
What was your first pet?
What pets are common in your country?
Do you prefer cats or dogs? (Why?)
Museums
What was the last museum you went to?
Do you enjoy going to museums?
Are there any museums in your hometown?
Why are museums good to have in a city or town?
Books
What is the last book you read?
Do you like reading books? (Why? / Why not?)
Do you prefer to read e-books or paper books? (Why?)
Who is your favorite author? (Why?)
Cities
Do you prefer to live in a city or the country side? (Why?)
What are some benefits of living in cities?
What is the biggest city you have been to?
Which city in your country is famous for art?
How often do you write emails? (Why?)
How many emails do you receive in a week?
Do you prefer sending emails or calling people on the phone? (Why?)
What was the last email you sent about?
Sports
What sports do you like to watch or play? (Why?)
What are some traditional sports in your country?
What was the last sporting event you went to?
Do you prefer to go to sporting events or watch them at home? (Why?)
Celebrities
Who are some celebrities that are popular now? (Why?)
Which celebrity do you really admire? (Why?)
Who was your favorite celebrity when you were a child? (Why?)
Do you follow celebrity gossip? (Why or why not?)
Grocery stores
Where do you go to buy food? (Why?)
How often do you buy groceries?
Do you prefer to go to big or small grocery stores? (Why?)
How much do you spend on groceries in a week?
Teachers
Who is the best teacher you have had? (Why?)
Are teachers respected in your culture? (Why or why not?)
What subject do you think is the hardest to teach? (Why?)
Who is the worst teacher you have had? (Why?)
Chores
What chore do you hate the most? (Why?)
Are there any chores you like doing? (Why or why not?)
What chores did you have to do as a child?
What chore are you bad at doing? (Why?)
Buses
How often do you ride a bus? (Why?)
Do you prefer to ride a bus or a train? (Why?)
Are there a lot of buses in your hometown? (Why?)
What do you think is the best thing about buses?
Cooking
How often do you cook?
What is the best dish you can cook?
Who is the best cook you know? (Why?)
Do you think cooking is an important skill to learn? (Why? / Why not?)
Music
What type of music do you listen to? (Why?)
How often do you listen to music?
When do you listen to music? (Why?)
What types of music do you dislike? (Why?)
News
Where do you usually get your news? (Why?)
What is some interesting news you heard recently?
How often do you read newspapers? (Why?)
What is the most popular news source in your country? (Why?)