Here are some common IELTS Speaking topics with questions and example answers. If you are new to the IELTS, please see this post.

Aim to speak for around 10-15 seconds on each question. Remember: don’t rush. Focus as much as you can on your delivery (how someone speaks in public). When answering these questions, answer from your personal opinion. Use your thoughts. Avoid using vocabulary and phrases that you think will impress the examiner or something the examiner wants to hear. There are no wrong or right answers – it is all about language. The examiner is not focusing on your opinions; they care about how varied and accurate your vocabulary and grammar are and how well you can deliver your answers.

The best answers are those where your ideas lead, and your language explains, meaning you have something interesting to say, and then you can express yourself clearly.

Animals

1) Do you like animals?

Possible Answer: Yea, in general, I like animals. I feel I have become more discerning as I’ve gotten older regarding which types of animals I like. For example, I don’t really like incredibly playful dogs anymore; I prefer quiet, placid dogs.

Other Questions about Animals:

  • Are animals used in farming in your country?
  • What animals can you see in your city/country?
  • What animal would you like to see in the wild?

Art – If you do not know much about art (maybe it was a subject you did not study in school or university), do not worry. What is most important is that you have opinions.

2) When you were a child, did you enjoy drawing and painting?

Possible Answer: Well. . . thinking back to when I was in primary school and high school, honestly, I didn’t really enjoy art all that much. I wasn’t particularly good at drawing and painting, and that’s probably why
I am not all that interested in the subject. Maybe if I had more artistic ability, I would have enjoyed art more.

Other Questions about Art:

  • Do you ever paint or draw now?
  • Do you think adults should draw or paint more?
  • Do you think drawing and painting are important activities for children?

Communication

3) Do you prefer to write letters or emails?

Possible Answer: I think handwritten letters can be very beautiful and on special occasions, such as a birthday, they can be a great choice. But, email is so much more efficient – both writing and sending.

Other Questions about Communication:

  • When did you last receive a handwritten letter?
  • Do you think people will still send letters in the future?
  • How often do you send letters or emails?

Crime

4) What are some common rules in your country? For example, driving rules or public transport rules…

Possible Answer: Mmm, interesting question. Let me think. . . Well, my country is often criticized for being a Nanny state – we have far too many rules concerning traffic and even minor infringements. But. . . I think I’ve gone a little off-topic.

The speaker in this example HAS gone off-topic. But it is not an issue. The speaker was asked about different TYPES of rules, and they ended up speaking about his country having TOO MANY rules. The speaker is still speaking generally about the topic, and there is nothing in the IELTS scoring criteria that directly addresses the concept of staying on topic.
In general, while it CAN be okay to deviate slightly from the question, answer the question that you are asked.

Other Questions about Crime:

  • Do you think older people or younger people follow the rules more?
  • Do you usually follow the rules?
  • Is it important for people to follow rules?

Culture – an incredibly broad topic

5) What are the important festivals from where you come from?

Possible Answer: Well. . . when I think of festivals, I mainly think of music festivals. There are a lot of different music festivals in my country, such as weekend festivals where you can camp, jazz, rock and sometimes reggae festivals.

Other Questions about Culture:

  • Do you think people will still celebrate these festivals in the future?
  • Do older people or younger people enjoy these festivals more?
  • How do people celebrate these festivals?

In part 2, we will discuss some more common topics.

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