Below is a list of IELTS Speaking topics for 2023 exam with examples of questions for IELTS Speaking Part 1. Additionally, there are 54 question cards with model answers, key vocabulary and collocations for Speaking Part 2 and 3. You can save the cards in PDF or print them online – just click on the topic!
Click on each topic to see Part 2 and 3 sample questions for this IELTS Speaking topic. Each question has a sample answer and useful phrases with explanations!
One important point to keep in mind is that the speaking topics are more or less the same for all Speaking parts. However, the questions themselves have different focus. Part 1 focuses on familiar aspects of the topic. Part 2 expects you talk about a familiar question in more detail. In Part 3 you expand on the idea from Part 2 and talk about the less familiar, more abstract side of the topic.
The questions below are examples of what you can get in Part 1 and 3 of IELTS Speaking. Questions in italics are sample questions for IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Friends and family, #2, #3
Do you come from a big family?
Could you tell me about one of your friends?
Who are the most important people in your life?
Do you prefer spending times with your friends or your family?
How important is it to have a best friend?
What kind of activities do you enjoy doing with your friends? What about your family?
Do you see your extended family often?
Is it easy for your to make new friends?
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
How often do you meet with your friends?
Have you ever had an argument with friend? Why?
What person from your family has had the biggest influence on you?
What do you like the most about your best friend?
Do you get on well with your siblings?
How do you keep in touch with friends from other cities or countries?
What are some important qualities you look for in a friend?
When you need help or an advice, who do you usually ask for it?
Do you have any friends that are very different from you?
Are you still in touch with your friends from school?
What is your favorite memory with your family or your friend?
How important it is to stay in touch with your old friends?
Tell about the longest friendship you have had.
Have you ever met someone through a mutual friend?
How does friendship change people?
Who has more influence on a person – family or friends?
Job and career, #2, #3
Do you have a job? What do you do? Do you enjoy it?
Why have you chosen this particular job?
Would you like to change your current job? Why or why not?
Have you ever changed jobs? Why?
What skills are needed to be successful in your job?
Do you have any long-term career goals?
At work, do you have a person you look up to?
When you were a child, what did you want to become?
What jobs are in demand in your country?
Are you good friends with any of your colleagues?
What professions are well-paid where you live?
Can you describe your dream job?
How does your work affect your personal life?
Would rather work from home or at the office?
Have you ever had to do something you did not enjoy at all?
Do you prefer working alone or with someone else? Why?
What jobs might become obsolete with the increasing automation in every sphere?
Do you think you will continue to work in the same field in the future?
What is more important to you – job satisfaction or professional development?
Do you think all people want to do creative work?
Which professional sphere is going to be more popular in the future?
Is it important to have good relationships with your colleagues?
Nowadays many young people prioritise career over family. Why?
Would you say it is important to have a job that you love?
When you are young, is it more important to work hard or to enjoy life?
Hobbies and free time, #2, #3
How do you usually spend your free time?
Did you have more or less free time when you were younger?
Do you have a hobby or other leisure activity?
How do you prefer spending your free time – alone or with others?
What advice would you give to a person looking for a hobby?
Do you usually plan your leisure time beforehand?
Is there a free time activity that you no longer enjoy?
Are you into any sports?
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
What hobbies are popular in your country?
Are there any hobby clubs in your area?
Do you get bored easily?
What does your perfect weekend look like?
Do you enjoy playing videogames?
Have you ever tried any creative hobbies such as painting or photography?
What did you do for fun when you were younger?
Have your interests changed much since you were a child?
Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with somebody else?
What kind of hobby do your parents have?
Do you plan to take up any new hobbies in the future?
Is it a good idea to turn a hobby into profession?
How has the pandemic affected the way people spend their free time?
Why does a person need to have a hobby?
How much you can tell about a person from their hobbies?
Can having too much free time be bad for a person?
Is it important to spend free time with your family? Why?
Home and hometown, #2, #3
Do you live in a flat or a house?
Who does the house chores in your family?
How long have you been living in your current accommodation?
Describe the room you live in.
Do you live alone or with somebody?
What kind of neighbourhood do you live in?
Would you move to a different area if you had a chance?
What do you like most about the place you live at?
Do you prefer to stay at home or spend time outside?
If you could change one thing about your town or city, what would it be?
What kind of work do you have to do around your flat or house?
Do you have any experience living in a different city or country?
In what room of your house do you spend most of your time?
Do you have a favourite place in your town or city?
Is the town or city you live in famous? What for?
What are people like in your hometown?
Do people in your country prefer living in houses or apartments?
What kind of problems does your town face?
Would you rather live in the city centre or in the countryside?
How easy it is to move around your city?
Do you get on well with your neighbours?
What is the fondest memory that you have about your hometown?
What are the pros and cons of living in your own house?
How important it is to feel that you belong to an area you live in?
Transport, #2, #3
How often do you use public transport?
What form of transportation do you like most?
How long was your journey to this exam today?
Is there anything you dislike about public transport?
How much time does it take you to get to work or place to study?
What is the best way to get around your city?
Are you afraid of flying on a plane?
How do you usually commute?
What is your attitude to carpooling?
Is taxi a good alternative to having a car?
What is the most used form of transport in your city?
Have you ever taken a ferry or a boat ride?
What is the traffic situation in your city?
What changes has transport system in your city had over the past ten years?
How often do you have to use public transport? Do you enjoy it?
Do you prefer travelling alone or with others? Why?
Has the transport you’ve been travelling with ever broke down?
Does your city have cycling lanes or any other cycling infrastructure?
Have you ever had a train or a plane delay that affected you?
Is renting a car better than owning it? Why?
What type of transport do you think is the most environmentally friendly?
How important is having a car where you live?
Which do you like more – travelling by train or by plane? Why?
Have you ever hitchhiked or picked up a hitchhiker?
What was the longest journey you’ve ever had?
Do you think electric cars will replace petrol cars in the future? If so, how soon will this happen?
How could the government encourage people to use public transport?
Do you think that driving is an important skill to have nowadays?
Should public transport be free? Why or why not?
Nature and the environment, #2, #3
Do you have any parks or squares where you live?
What animals can you see in your city?
Have you ever gone hunting or fishing? Did you enjoy it?
When you go to the countryside, what do you usually do there?
What kinds of outdoor activities do you enjoy doing?
Do you recycle? What do you recycle?
Have you ever taken part in any environmental activism?
Do you do waste sorting?
Is there a park or a garden in your city that you particularly like? Why?
Would you consider moving to the countryside?
Have you ever visited a national park or nature reserve?
What does the government of your country do to save the environment?
Would you say that people are causing more damage to nature than they did 20 years ago?
Do you think there should be more green spaces in cities?
Have you ever had a negative experience with nature?
Do you prefer urban or rural environments? Why?
Do you try to buy environmentally friendly products?
What is your attitude to hunting and fishing?
Do you try to protect environment in some way? If so, how?
How can people be encouraged to reduce their environmental footprint?
Do you think technology can help to protect the environment?
How can children be better taught to be respectful to the environment?
Should people focus on preserving animal species or their own welfare?
Will humanity manage to reduce its own carbon impact in the future? Why/why not?
Studying, #2, #3
Do you currently study anything?
What was your favourite subject at school?
Did you enjoy going to school? Why/why not?
Do you think the school curriculum is too difficult nowadays?
What do you enjoy about learning foreign languages?
Do you remember your first teacher? What were they like?
How do you usually study for exams?
What was your most memorable experience at school?
Would you want to study abroad if you had a chance? Why/why not?
Did you ever have to ask for help with your homework?
Which school subject do you personally find the easiest?
Did the school you went to have a focus on any particular subjects?
Do you plan to continue studying?
What do you find most difficult about learning English?
Have you ever had a tutor for any of school subjects? Why?
Do you think schools should teach more life skills such as cooking, finances and others?
If you could study something else, what would you study?
Do you prefer online or classroom education?
Are extracurricular activities are important for a student’s education?
What strategies do you use to study effectively?
Do you think memorizing information is important for studying?
Should school uniform be made necessary?
Do you think college or university education is necessary for everyone?
What is your opinion on studying abroad?
Do you think it is important to continue learning new things throughout your life?
How might ways of studying and education change in the future?
Is studying online as good as traditional classroom education?
Art (films, music, the theatre, literature etc.), #2, #3
Do you prefer reading or watching movies? Why?
What kind of art do you like? Why?
How popular is reading in your country? And what about music concerts?
Do you prefer reading physical books or electronic books?
What kind of music do you listen to?
Is there a film or a piece of music that is strongly associated with your country?
Do you enjoy going to museums or galleries?
Which do you like more – watching movies at home or at the cinema? Why?
Do you have any friends who are engaged into arts in any way?
What is your favourite movie genre?
Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction books?
Is there a classic book you think everyone should read?
Do you have a favourite actor or an artist? If so, who is that?
How often to you go to live concerts?
Is there a genre of music, films or books you like better?
Do you plan to go to a concert or an exhibition in the future?
Do you like drawing or painting?
When was the last time you were to an art exhibition?
Do you like theatre? Why/Why not?
Does your town or city have a theatre? Have you been there?
In your opinion, is reading becoming less or more popular with people? Why?
Violence is a big part of movie and videogame industries nowadays. How do you think this will change in the future?
In your opinion, does reading books help improve your language skills?
What do you think is the purpose of art?
Should movie classes be a part of curriculum in schools along with literature and music classes? Why/Why not?
Can something generated by a machine be considered art?
Modern problems, #2, #3
What problems does your town or city face nowadays?
Have you ever seen problems associated with addiction in your community?
What impact do you think the meat industry is having on our planet?
What kind of problems might an individual face today that they wouldn’t twenty years ago?
Some say that the world is becoming increasingly globalised, or similar. What is your opinion on that?
Which do you think technology has created more – problems or solutions?
Unemployment is a big issue nowadays, especially among young people. What could be the solution to this problem?
Is it more important to explore space or to focus on problems of our own planet?
Modern lifestyle is much less healthy. How can people be encouraged to be more active and sporty?
Do you think problems today are easier or more difficult to solve than those in the past? Why?
Travelling, #2, #3
What is your attitude to travelling?
How often do you travel abroad? And in your own country?
Tell me about the last place you visited.
Do you ever have any difficulties when travelling?
Is there anything stressful about travelling for you?
What was the most exotic place you have ever travelled to?
Do you usually plan your trip on go without planning?
What kind of places do you like to visit when you travel?
Do you have any friends who are keen on travelling and tourism?
Have you ever had to travel for work or business?
Which do you prefer – travelling alone or with someone else? Why?
When was the last time you travelled somewhere? Where did you go to?
What is your preferred mode of transportation when travelling?
When you are on a trip, do you try local cuisine?
Do you have any plans to travel somewhere in the future?
Where would you advise a visitor to your city go? What kinds of sights should they see?
What do you think is the best way to plan a trip?
Is shopping an important part of travelling for you?
If you could visit any country, where would you go? Why?
What things should person consider when they travel?
While travelling, have you ever had any difficulties?
Have you ever travelled for work or business purposes?
Is travelling today more affordable than in the past?
How has the approach to travelling changed in comparison to the past?
Is it better to travel when you’re young or later in your life?
Can tourism have negative consequences for the host country?
What kind of benefits might travelling offer?
What environmental impact does travelling have?
City and the country, #2, #3
Where do you live – the city or the countryside?
Do you enjoy living in the city/the country? Why/Why not?
Have you always been living in one place or did you come from somewhere else?
What does your daily commute is like?
Which do you like more – to live in a busy city or a small town? Why?
If you could move, where would you prefer to live and why?
What do you like to do for fun in the city?
What advantages does living in the city offer?
Do you have a place you enjoy visiting where you live?
How could your city be improved?
Are the cities in your country crowded and noisy?
What are the advantages of living in the city centre? Are there any disadvantages?
In general, what are the advantages of living in bigger cities as opposed to smaller towns? What about the disadvantages?
Would you say that life in a city is more stressful compared to the countryside? Why/Why not?
What is the nightlife like in your city?
Do you think people in the countryside are more or less friendly than those in the city?
Is public transport in your city efficient?
Do you have any shops near to where you live?
More and more people are moving to bigger cities. Why do you think this is happening?
In the future, do you think more people live in the cities or in the country?
Weather and climate, #2, #3
What kind of climate do you live in? Do you like it?
What is your favourite season and why?
Do you like it when it’s raining?
How often does it snow in your country?
When was the last time you saw a rainbow?
How do you cool down on hot summer days?
Which do you prefer – when it’s cloudy or sunny? Why?
Do you like it when the weather changes frequently or do you prefer more stability?
What is the typical weather in your country during the summer?
What kind of food do you prefer to eat during different seasons?
In your opinion, how does weather affect people’s productivity?
What is your opinion on air conditioning?
What kind of weather do you like most?
If you could live in a place with a different climate, would you want to?
Has the climate changed in your country over the years? If so, how?
In your opinion, can climate change lead to extinction of some species?
Do you think global warming is a serious issue?
Holidays and celebrations, #2, #3
What is the biggest holiday in your country?
What are the national holidays celebrated in your country?
How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
Is there a celebration in your country that is unique?
Have you ever celebrated a birthday in a unique way?
What is your favourite holiday?
Do people in your country have a traditional dish for celebrations or holidays?
Have you ever attended a wedding or a funeral? What was it like?
What do children in your country usually do during holidays?
Do you normally celebrate with your friends, your family or on your own?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a great holiday?
Are there any special traditions regarding gift-giving where you live?
What is the most memorable party or celebration you have attended?
Do you feel like holidays and celebrations are becoming too commercialized?
Food and cuisine, #2, #3
What are the typical dishes in your country?
What kind of food do you prefer?
Do you like cooking? Why/Why not?
What is the most unusual dish you have ever tried?
Do you eat out? If so, how often?
Have you ever tried any exotic foods?
Would you say you’re a picky eater?
What is your favorite drink to have with a meal?
Do you prefer spicy food or mild food?
Is there any type of food or dish you don’t eat?
What do you usually eat if you want to treat yourself?
How do you go grocery shopping?
Why do people find fast food so attractive?
Animals and pets, #2, #3
Do you have any pets?
Do you like animals? Why or why not?
What animals are popular as pets in your country?
Do you think people should have pets? Why or why not?
Is your country or culture associated with any particular animal?
Do you think it’s important for children to have pets? Why or why not?
Which animal makes a better pet – a cat or a dog? Why?
Why people might want to have a pet?
Have you had to take care of someone else’s pet? What was it like?
What benefits do you think having a pet can bring to a person’s life?
Do you think pets should be allowed on public transport? Why/Why not?
Have you ever visited a zoo or an aquarium? Did you enjoy the visit?
Is it true that the pet a person has can tell us something about that person?
Do you think people should be allowed to hunt animals for sport?
What is the most unusual pet you’ve ever heard of someone owning?
Technology and progress, #2, #3
How often do you use your mobile phone?
Do you think technology has made life easier?
Do you use your mobile phone more than you did in the past?
How does technology help you in your everyday life?
Do you spend more money on gadgets than you did before?
What technological discovery has changed our lives most dramatically?
What are the possible negative aspects of technological progress?
To what extent do you think technology has changed the way we live?
Is progress always a good thing? What are possible negative effects of progress?
Why do you think people spend so much time with their mobile phones nowadays?
What changes in our lives can we expect to happen because of technology in the future?
Health and well-being, #2, #3
How often do you exercise?
Would you say that you have a healthy lifestyle?
Are you into any sports?
Which do you like more – to play sports or to watch it?
Has anybody you know ever had a serious illness?
How often do you go to see a doctor?
What food do you avoid eating to stay healthy?
Do you prefer to do sports indoors or outside?
How important do you think it is to have consistent sleeping schedule?
What can the government do to promote healthy lifestyle?
How do you deal with daily stress?
Do you think health insurance is important to have?
Are you afraid of visiting any particular doctor?
Do you agree that people nowadays live healthier that the previous generations? Why/Why not?
What are the benefits of taking part in team sports?
Should smoking be banned in public places?
Money and shopping, #2, #3
Would you say that you are good at managing money?
How often do you go shopping?
Do you prefer to shop alone or with somebody else?
When was the last time you bought something expensive? What was it?
Who keeps track of the money in your family?
Did you use to get pocket money when you were a child?
What is more popular in your country – paying by cash or by card?
Do you think it’s better to save money or to spend it?
Which is better – shopping with your friends or on your own?
Do you believe that in the future we will only use electronic money and payments?
Many smaller shops nowadays have to close down because they can’t compete with bigger chain stores. Is this a positive or a negative development?
Can too much money be a bad thing? How?