Common IELTS Speaking Topics with Answers

IELTS Speaking Topics

An examiner interviews you for the IELTS Speaking Test to evaluate your verbal English fluency level. After asking some generic interview questions, there is a Cue Card round where participants are given a minute to discuss a topic. There are three primary components to the IELTS Speaking Test. These include the topic, prompts to structure your response and follow-up questions.

Let’s look into the 3 parts of the IELTS Exams in detail.

We have learned that the IELTS Speaking test has three parts, and we will discuss them in detail.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Interview and Introduction

In this portion, the examiner will ask you questions about yourself, your family and friends, your hobbies, food, family, and more.

Question: Do you have many friends?

Answer: I wouldn't say that I have a lot of friends, but I do have a select group of close friends that I would consider my inner circle. In terms of friendships, quality is more important to me than number. Building strong friendships and lasting connections takes time, mutual understanding, and trust. Rather than dispersing my energy among many acquaintances, I would focus on cultivating a few close friendships.

Question: Have you ever bought flowers for someone else?

Answer: Yes, I have purchased flowers for others multiple times. Flowers are a kind and sentimental present that can convey a range of feelings. They are a worldwide way to express love, gratitude, congratulations, or sympathy. They can make people smile and make their day better. Therefore, I have frequently selected flowers to express my love and concern for others.

Question:  When do people give gifts or presents in your country?

Answer: People in my nation send gifts or presents on many holidays and occasions. Birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, holidays like Christmas and New Year's, and significant life events like promotions or graduations are a few such occasions. Gift-giving is regarded as a celebration, an expression of gratitude, and a way to show the recipient that you care.

Question: Do you think it’s important for people to play games?

Answer: I think that games and sports are essential for a healthy existence. In addition to being incredibly enjoyable, games are good for our health. Many games are beneficial to kids' cognitive and motor development. They also strengthen their decision-making capacity and teach them valuable skills like teamwork.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn/ Cue Card

Describe an interest or hobby that you enjoy cue card that includes 

• Introduction

In my opinion, hobbies are equally crucial for adults and children. For adults, having hobbies can help release stress, whereas, for children, they help improve motor vehicle skills. Likewise, today, I want to discuss one activity I am immensely interested in.

• How did you become interested in it?

The hobby I became interested in is a form of martial arts called Taekwondo. I became interested in it by watching other kids doing it during the summer vacations. 

• How long have you been doing it?

I have been doing it since I was in the 6th standard, even though I want to be more consistent.

• Why do you enjoy it?

I enjoy it because I have always loved outdoor sports. As a kid, it was a way to use my energy most effectively while learning a new skill.

• Explain what benefits you get from this interest or hobby.

The first is that it helps you get some physical activity because jobs these days have reduced that. Second, it is an excellent form of self-defence, which everyone needs today. Lastly, involving oneself in extra-curricular activities and indulging in competitions are always an added feather to the cap.

• Conclusion

To conclude, practising taekwondo has proved difficult, but I enjoy it immensely, and everyone should indulge in some form of activity.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Discussion

Question: What practical improvements may arise while practising a hobby or interest?

Answer: Pursuing a hobby or personal interest has several advantages. It sharpens abilities, increases inventiveness, and strengthens problem-solving. It also provides happiness and a sense of achievement, making it an excellent stress reliever. Furthermore, by relieving stress and fostering a sense of pleasure and success, engaging in a pastime may also benefit mental health.

Question: Do you think having a hobby suits people’s social life? In what way?

Answer: Many people think people are inherently friendly and prefer social situations. Because hobbies unite others with similar interests for enjoyment, they are an excellent means of satisfying our social needs. Engaging in activities such as riding, boating, athletics, or even just walking allows us to spend valuable time with our friends and family. Whether you pursue your pastime alone or with others, it's a great opportunity to show off your interests and build relationships.

Question: Do you think people will have 'more' or 'less' free time in the future? Why?

Answer: Even if we cannot predict the future precisely, we can make certain reasonable assumptions. Future predictions indicate that we will have less and less free time, which we typically spend with our loved ones and enjoying life's little pleasures. We can anticipate this because we have already seen how preoccupied we have grown over the past 50 years with activities that, in the end, don't matter, and we don't see any indication that this will change.

Question: Would you say the amount of free time has changed a lot in the last fifty years?

Answer: My nation has undoubtedly seen a noticeable decrease in leisure time during the past fifty years. Many elderly family members who voice worries about the growing demand for people to work longer hours have acknowledged this transition.

Question: Are there any adverse effects on a person spending too much time on their hobby? What are they?

Answer: Anything in excess may be harmful, including overindulging in hobbies. This may have detrimental consequences, such as ignoring your family and stressing your body and mind. For example, fishing in the intense heat all day might eventually lead to illness.

What is an IELTS Cue Card?

The IELTS Speaking Test has three sections, and the Cue Card section is one of the hardest. You have to speak immediately about a topic provided to you in this portion. A Cue Card gives you two minutes to talk about a topic or task, and then you have a minute-long conversation with the examiner.

The Speaking Cue Card component of the IELTS evaluates your ability to talk concisely, sequence your ideas, and use a mixture of vocabulary and grammatical words. Once you have the Cue Card, you have one minute to prepare. Cue Card topics range widely, from abstract ideas to personal experiences.

IELTS Cue Card

The Speaking section of the IELTS cue card test often examines various subjects to assess language proficiency and communication skills. 

Here are general IELTS cue card  topics in 2024 with answers you might encounter:

1. Personal Information

Introduce yourself, including your name, occupation, and place of origin.

Discuss your family and provide insights into your hometown.

2. Education and Work

Describe your current or past academic studies.

Talk about your current job or outline your future career plans.

Discuss your preferred subjects and the reasons behind your interest in them.

4. Hobbies and Interests

Share your favourite pastimes and leisure activities.

Discuss sports you either enjoy participating in or follow as a spectator.

Elaborate on your hobbies, explaining why they hold significance for you.

5. Environment and Conservation

Explore environmental issues and their repercussions.

Discuss measures to safeguard the environment.

Share your opinions on sustainable living practices.

6. Travel and Tourism

Recount a memorable trip you’ve experienced.

Express your desire to visit a particular place and the reasons behind it.

Discuss the importance of travel and the benefits it brings.

7. Technology and Media

Discuss your preferred websites or apps.

Deliberate on the influence of social media on society.

Share your perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of technology.

8. Health and Fitness

Discuss the essence of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Share details about your exercise routine or favourite sport.

Express your views on the effects of junk food.

9. Social Issues

Delve into discussions about poverty and its root causes.

Share your thoughts on the societal impact of immigration.

Express your opinions on gender equality.

10. Culture and Traditions

Talk about a traditional festival in your home country.

Discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Share your opinions on the impact of globalisation on culture.

11. Future Plans and Aspirations

Share your goals and ambitions.

Discuss your plans for further education or career advancement.

Express your views on the importance of setting personal goals.

IELTS Cue Card Marking Criteria

You will be given a cue card topic, which you must discuss during the IELTS speaking test portion. You will have eleven to fifteen minutes to talk on the subject, and your performance will be assessed according to the following standards:

1. Fluency and coherence measure one's ability to communicate English fluently and coherently—without stops, repetitions, or interruptions.

2. The Grammatical Range evaluates your speech's grammatical structures, such as the appropriate application of tenses, parts of speech, and sentence structures.

3. Regardless of the word's original language, pronunciation evaluates your ability to pronounce English words correctly, including sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation.

4. Your vocabulary is your lexical resource, including the variety of words you use and their appropriateness in specific contexts. 

Conclusion

To conclude, you can improve your chances of success by preparing yourself appropriately, learning about the three components of the IELTS Speaking Test, and becoming familiar with the various formats of the Cue Cards. Before the test, practice as much as you can, and talk confidently and clearly throughout it.

If you are also ready to appear for IELTS, we suggest you sign up for our IELTS Courses designed by our experts. Please contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors for further guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can also get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.