IELTS Speaking: Topics, Samples, and Tips

IELTS Speaking is a shared module for both Academic and General Versions. The test is an oral interview of about 11-14 minutes with an examiner. Although the IELTS speaking test is a one-to-one interview, it follows some rules on both topics and patterns.

IELTS usually updates speaking test topics periodically, so studying recent topics helps very much. In the topic section, you can search for recent topics and their questions to practice.

If you want to quickly grasp the big picture of IELTS Speaking, the sample section is the right place. We offer both text and video materials to show how a complete speaking test goes.

Finally, the tip section has a brief introduction to the test pattern and assessment criteria.

It helps to familiarize yourself with IELTS speaking topics before your testing. We list these topics in 2 categories: topics occurred in current period and topics in 2022-2024.

The former will show topics most active in the current period, but you only see the latest 10-15 questions if you aren't VIP. The latter is accessed by VIP users only.

In the actual speaking test scenario, Part 1 usually has 2 - 3 topics in a small talk style. However, Part 2 and Part 3 share the same topic, which helps to deepen the discussion.

We present topics for Part 1 and Part 2/3. If you click a topic word, you can see a sample question sheet whose contents are mainly from the test-takers' memories. (They aren't real exam questions, but they are very close.) These samples are a tremendous asset for understanding the real IELTS speaking test.

In fact, the topics or questions of the IELTS speaking test aren't random. This test is done by one-on-one interviewing, so examiners usually update question scripts every 3-4 months. Therefore, candidates often encounter similar topics questioned recently.

It's a handy tool for searching IELTS speaking questions by topic. Because IELTS updates test topics periodically, so the recent topics are more important for test takers. The latest topics, for example, IELTS Speaking Topic: May and August 2024, deserve to be studied and practiced with high priority if you book the test this or next month.

Click topic to get sample questions 

Click topic to get sample questions 

In the IELTS speaking test, the examiners are responsible for guiding and controlling the interview in similar ways and with similar questions. This video demonstrates a full IELTS speaking test. The candidate should be rated as band 8-9. It's an excellent sample.



Below is a full-size mock test with new topics for May and August 2024, which leaves time for you to answer each question. More self-practice is in IELTS Speaking Online Practice.



In addition to video samples, we also provide a set of the latest IELTS speaking test samples covering Part 1, 2, and 3 to help test takers understand the test's big picture.

Latest Part 1 Question Sample    More New Part 1 Topics

Latest Part 2 and Part 3 Question Sample    More New Part 2/3 Topics

The IELTS speaking test is recorded for security purposes. The recording doesn't affect your score, so don't be nervous or care about it.

IELTS speaking test patterns are published to all test takers, and they are essential to improving the final speaking score. The test consists of 3 parts. The first two parts follow a question list picked up by the examiner, who would ask questions precisely by the question list. The problems of Part 3 may or may not be prompted to you, relying on your actual speaking skill in the preceding questions.

Part 1: Introduction and interview: The candidate talks about personal information, like at the first meeting.

• 4-5 minutes
• Questions based on script, driven by examiner
• General topics, like home, family, or hobby

Part 2: Individual long turn: Candidate delivers a monologue of 1-2 minutes on the given subject.

• 3-4 minutes
• Based on the topic card, one minute to prepare notes
• monologue of 1-2 minutes

Part 3: Discussion: The candidate has a chance to answer more difficult questions.

• 4-5 minutes
• Questions are usually expanded from Part 2
• The maximum question number is 7, and the real amount depends on your proficiency level.

In addition to its topics and questions, you had better understand its assessment criteria to prepare for the IELTS speaking module. If you know the requirements very clearly, you will get a fair reward for your time and effort.

The key points of a high score are fluency, coherence, and pronunciation. Please focus on these details:

1. Express ideas clearly and coherently
2. Use vocabulary size and ability in the right way
3. Show grammar knowledge, range, and accuracy
4. Use intonation and stress naturally, no matter the accent

Details of assessment criteria can be found at IELTS Official Web Site.

For those who want to raise their speaking score in a short time frame, familiarizing themselves with recent topics and accumulating relevant vocabulary in advance will increase their chances of getting a better band.