IELTS Speaking Tips: Free Online Practice Test, Topics & Format
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
IELTS Speaking test evaluates how well you can speak English. Time duration for IELTS speaking exam lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. Candidates must note that IELTS Speaking is one most scoring modules of IELTS exam. With proper IELTS speaking tips, it is not so difficult to perform well in the IELTS Speaking test. IELTS Speaking module includes three parts namely - IELTS Speaking Part 1, IELTS Speaking Part 2 and IELTS Speaking Part 3. Each part is designed differently and has a specific format for speaking on a topic or discussing a given topic. IELTS Speaking topics are provided to the applicants by the examiner and applicants have to attempt them. We have curated the types of IELTS Speaking Questions tested in this article. For more information on the IELTS Speaking test, follow the guidelines provided in the article to get your desired IELTS band score in the IELTS Speaking Test.
The IELTS Speaking assessment criteria based on which applicants are scored is easy to understand. There are four areas across which applicants are marked on the IELTS Speaking module and they are - Fluency and Coherence; Lexical Resource; Grammatical Range and Accuracy; and Pronunciation. To prepare for the IELTS Speaking section, applicants must practice numerous IELTS Speaking topics and time themselves on each answer.
To appear for the IELTS Speaking test, the IELTS test date may either fall on the same day or another day within a week before or after the test date. For the Speaking test, applicants can book a slot online on a preferred date and time. If applicants fail to register for an IELTS slot for Speaking within the stated period, by default a time slot will be allocated.
IELTS Spaking Format
The IELTS Speaking test format is simple.
| IELTS Speaking Parts | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Speaking Part 1 (Introduction & Interview) | 4-5 minutes |
General questions about yourself, your daily life, work, studies, interests,
|
| IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Long-turn/Monologue) | 3-4 minutes |
A cue card will be given which will bear the topic to be spoken on. Applicants will have 1 minute to prepare and make notes.
|
| IELTS Speaking Part 3 (Follow-up Questions) | 4-5 minutes |
Discussion on the topic from Part 2. More complex questions require longer, more developed answers.
|
IELTS Speaking topics can be across different areas like - personal information, hobbies, education, travel, environment and others. Some of the topics for practice on IELTS Speaking are as follows:
General Topics
Technology and Social Media:
The impact of social media on mental health
The role of artificial intelligence in our lives
The digital divide and its consequences
Environment and Climate Change:
The effects of climate change on our planet
Sustainable living and eco-friendly practices
Renewable energy sources and their importance
Education and Work:
Online learning vs. traditional education
The future of work and automation
Work-life balance and its challenges
Health and Wellness:
The importance of mental health
Healthy lifestyle habits and their benefits
The impact of stress on our lives
IELTS Speaking Topics (Part 2 Cue Cards):
A time when you helped someone
A memorable journey
A favorite hobby or pastime
There are usually 2-3 minutes on average based on the speed of speaking of an applicants to express one's views in an elaborate manner. In case the applicnats miss speaking in the allocated 4-5 minutes, they may not be able to express their ideas fully. Also, they may panic in the end to finish and in some cases may not be able to finish what they wanted to say also. Thus, applicants must strictly adhere to the time allocated for preparing and note making to avoid faltering during the IELTS Speaking test.
Applicants are tested on IELTS Speaking based on the following parameters:
Fluency
Lexical resources
Grammar range and accuracy
Pronunciation
For those who have these abilities, they will be scored well. The IELTS Speaking band score also ranges between band 0 to band 9.
IELTS Speaking Section Pattern
IELTS speaking test pattern is divided into three parts, each having a distinct set of questions, pattern and timing. Bifurcation is given below with description and kind of IELTS Speaking topics that are tested:
| IELTS Speaking Parts | IELTS Speaking Description | IELTS Speaking Topics |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Speaking Part 1 | General Questions about the Candidate | This part consists of general questions related to the candidate. Anything related to you and your life can be asked in this section of the exam. For instance, family, music, flowers, hobbies and so on. |
| IELTS Speaking Part 2 | Cue Card + Follow-up Questions | This part includes the individual's turn to speak for a longer time. The test taker is provided with a topic on a cue card and is given a minute to prepare on the topic. The candidate would be then required to speak on the topic for 1 - 2 minutes. |
| IELTS Speaking Part 3 | Discussion with the Examiner | This part is related to part 2 and it is more like a discussion between an examiner and the candidate. This section requires the candidates to elaborate on their answers in detail and give examples and abstract ideas about the topic. |
As mentioned above, pattern for IELTS Speaking varies for all three parts. Topics for IELTS Speaking also differ based on each part.
Format of IELTS Speaking Test
Speaking test has three parts:
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
- What Happens: Examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to introduce yourself.
- Topics Covered: You can talk about your home, family, work, studies, and interests.
Part 2: Long Turn
- What Happens: You get a specific topic to speak. You will have 1 minute to prepare what you want to say.
- Speaking Time: After that, you will speak for up to 2 minutes about topic.
Part 3: Discussion
- What Happens: Examiner will ask you more questions related to topic from Part 2.
This part checks how well you can discuss and think about bigger issues related to the topic.
One should start using Free IELTS Speaking Practice Test for a better preparation for IELTS speaking test.
Commonly asked questions
To talk for two minute in IELTS speaking part 2, you need to do some practice. First make small notes of main points you will say. Try to tell details and small stories from your life. Use simple linking words like “and” or “because” to join ideas. If you forget, you can say “hmm that is a nice question” and then start. Practice with watch or timer.
Fluency in IELTS speaking means speaking smoothly and continuously without excessive pauses or hesitations.
- Prioritize clear communication over overly complex vocabulary.
- While grammatical accuracy is important, don't let the fear of making mistakes hinder your flow.
- Practice speaking regularly on various topics to build confidence and familiarity.
- Vary your intonation to maintain listener engagement. Minimize filler words like "um" and "ah" through conscious effort.
Getting a score of 8.5 in IELTS speaking requires demonstrating near-native fluency and coherence. Minimize hesitation and speak spontaneously on a range of topics. Showcase a wide vocabulary, using words accurately and naturally. While aiming for grammatical accuracy, prioritize communication; minor errors are acceptable.
IELTS Mock Test - Speaking
Commonly asked questions
Language plays a major role in getting a good band in speaking. The way you speak, and answer questions says a lot about your performance. In fact, it is a separate parameter for marking in speaking module.
Grammar, vocabulary, fluency and intonation together talk about your speaking skills. If you use more complex sentences with uncommon vocab, a good band is on the way. The simpler the language, the simpler the bands.
Writing on paper is allowed in the exam. In fact, is it advisable to make notes during your part 2 (cue card) section of the exam. Many times, students forget or do not write keywords and then while speaking forget about the important points.
Hence, it is advisable to make notes because after writing the mind registers the points really well. And there are less chances to forget pointers while speaking.
Practice makes the man perfect. It's true! Start practicing in front of the mirror and record your voice just like it will be done in the exam. This is the best method to gain confidence for the main day and to pick up your own mistakes and correct them, so that you do not make the same mistake on the exam day.
The more you practice, esp. In part 2 (cue card), the more familiar you will become with the paper and its timings. You just need to be persistent in practicing speaking because it is not a one-day game.
IELTS Speaking Sample Questions and Answers
Practicing with IELTS speaking sample tasks can help you prepare for the IELTS Speaking test. Here are examples of IELTS speaking sample questions and answers, along with tips on how to respond.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics. This part lasts about 4 to 5 minutes. Here’s a sample task:
Sample Questions:
- What is your name?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Can you tell me about your hometown?
Tips for Responding:
- Answer clearly and confidently.
- Provide more than just one-word answers. For example, instead of saying "I study," you could say, "I study engineering at university, and I enjoy learning about new technologies."
- Use simple details to make your answers interesting.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions and Answers Sample
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you will receive a task card with a specific topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for up to 2 minutes. Here’s a sample task:
Task Card Example:
Describe a book that you recently read. You should say:
- What the book is about
- Why you decided to read it
- What you liked or didn’t like about it
- And explain how it affected you
Tips for Responding:
- Take a moment to think about your answer during the preparation time.
- Speak clearly and try to cover all points on the task card.
- Use examples from the book to support your points. For instance, "The book is about a young girl who discovers her magical powers. I decided to read it because I love fantasy stories."
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions and Answers Sample
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner will ask you more complex questions related to the topic from Part 2. This part lasts about 4 to 5 minutes. Here’s a sample task based on the previous book discussion:
Sample Questions:
- Why do you think reading is important?
- How has technology changed the way people read?
- Do you believe that people read less now than in the past? Why or why not?
Tips for Responding:
- Provide thoughtful answers and support your opinions with reasons.
- Try to discuss different aspects of the topic. For example, when asked why reading is important, you could mention its benefits for education, imagination, and relaxation.
- Use examples from your own experience or observations.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions and Answers Sample
Note: The above transcript of the IELTS Speaking test has been taken from the IDP official website for reference purposes.
How to improve IELTS Speaking at home?
IELTS Speaking can be a scoring module in IELTS exam if prepared well. Following tips have been prepared to help you focus on essential points when answering IELTS Speaking questions.
1. Memorizing answers will not work
The examiners will easily be able to locate whether you are repeating the answer from somewhere. Memorizing the answers would not give the examiner an idea of your English-speaking skills it would hinder the band.
2. Big fat words are NOT the key!
You might want to sound impressive in front of the examiner but use complex language only if you are familiar with it. Otherwise, it can act as a bane to your score and can affect your final bands negatively. Learn about essential vocabulary for IELTS exam from our website which can help build a good vocabulary for IELTS preparation.
3. Use a range of grammar
Use varied grammar such as complex and simple sentences to express what you want to convey in your answers. Speak to your friends in English and practice recording your voice to check if you can spot the errors and self-correct.
4. Accent does not play any role
Try to focus on stress in words and intonation while speaking. Accents do not affect your bands, but your speaking style does. The examiner is in the habit of listening to different accents so do not worry about yours. Just keep your pronunciation correct.
5. Think before you speak!
It is ok to take a break in between. There is a certain way to take a break. You may like to use a few phrases while pausing so that it does not look like you are taking one. Some of them are:
- Wow that is an interesting question
- I have never thought about that, but...
- That is a tricky question, but let me answer that...
6. Fillers are a big no-no
Usually, we use these when we lack ideas. Hence it is important to use the previous tip to avoid fillers. Some of the fillers commonly used by the candidates are:
- You know
- Like
- Umm, ahh
- Well
- Yeah
7. Smile while you speak, it helps a lot!
Smiling helps in showing our friendly tone to the examiner and also helps in calming down nervousness. Just make sure you open your mouth wide while giving responses so that you enunciate appropriately.
8. Extend your answer
Always elaborate your answers well in the speaking test. Because this will show the examiner that you can answer in detail. Do not wait for the examiner to ask any question while you speak. Speak at length to give fuller answers.
9. Do not use monotone to answer
By speaking in a monotone, we can confuse the examiner with which part of the answer is important and can also exhaust and bore him. Hence, we need to be listened to and for that, we need to sound interesting. To express clearly your ideas, you need to have variations in your tone.
10. Practice
Practice is key to having an 8+ band in IELTS speaking. More you talk in English with others it will build up your confidence and get you prepared for the main day. And the fewer errors you will make on that day. Hence be prepared for any instant question asked by the examiner. Check out some exercise material at IELTS Question Papers for additional practice.
IELTS Speaking Topics
IELTS Speaking topics keep on changing but many times you will find different questions around the same common topics. Here is a list of a few common IELTS speaking topics which you might encounter during the examination.
| Accommodation | Animals (and pets) | Art |
| Books (and reading habits) | Celebrations | Childhood |
| Clothing | Dreams | Education |
| Environment | Films | Flowers (and Plants) |
| Food (and Cooking) | Friends | Health |
| Hobbies | Hometown | Media (and News) |
| Museums | Magic | Neighbours |
| Places | Shopping | Sport |
| Studying | Technology (including Computer & Internet) | Transport |
| Travel (and Holidays) | Weather | Work |
Also Check:
Do's and don'ts for the IELTS Speaking test
There are certain points which the candidate should keep in mind before he attempts the IELTS Speaking questions. Here are a few IELTS Speaking Do's and Don'ts which would help them get a better IELTS band score.
| Do | Do Example | Don't | Don't Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speak clearly and at a natural pace. | I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. | Speak too quickly or too slowly. |
Umm...like...you know...I...I really like...
|
| Use a variety of vocabulary and grammar structures. | I find it incredibly stimulating to learn about different cultures. | Use simple language and repetitive structures. |
I like to read books. I like to watch movies. I like to eat food.
|
| Give detailed and relevant answers. | I believe that technology has both positive and negative impacts on society. For example, smartphones have made communication easier, but they can also lead to addiction. | Give short and simple answers. | Yes. No. Maybe. |
| Use appropriate pronunciation and intonation. | The beautiful, sunlit beach stretched out before us. | Use incorrect pronunciation and monotone speech. |
I lik tu go shoppin.
|
| Be confident and enthusiastic. | I'm passionate about environmental issues and I believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting our planet. | Sound hesitant and unsure of yourself. |
I think...I guess...I don't know.
|
| Listen carefully to the examiner's questions. | The examiner asks: "What do you like to do in your free time?" | Not listen to the examiner's questions. |
The examiner asks a question, but the speaker starts talking about something completely unrelated.
|
| Use discourse markers to connect your ideas. | Firstly, I'd like to talk about... Secondly... Finally... | Speak in a disjointed and incoherent manner. |
I like...and then...um...yeah...
|
| Practice speaking English regularly. | Practice speaking with a language partner or record yourself speaking. | Only practice for the IELTS test. |
Focus solely on memorizing answers to common questions.
|
| Use appropriate body language. |
Maintain eye contact, smile, and use gestures to emphasize your points. | Use negative body language. |
Slouch, avoid eye contact, or fidget nervously.
|
| Be flexible and adapt to the conversation. | Be prepared to discuss a variety of topics and be open to unexpected questions. | Stick rigidly to a prepared script. |
Memorize answers and deliver them without any flexibility or spontaneity.
|
IELTS Speaking Topics with Explaination
Best Books for IELTS Speaking Questions
Scoring Parameters of IELTS Speaking Section
IELTS Speaking Sample Questions & Answers
IELTS Speaking Topic: Part 3
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