Understanding the IELTS Speaking Test
| Part | Duration | Question Type | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4-5 min | Short answer questions | Fluency, basic vocabulary |
| Part 2 | 3-4 min | 2-minute monologue | Extended speech, coherence |
| Part 3 | 4-5 min | Discussion questions | Complex ideas, justification |
Scoring: Fluency (25%), Vocabulary (25%), Grammar (25%), Pronunciation (25%)
Part 1 Topics
Part 1 asks about familiar topics: your life, preferences, daily routines. Answer in 2-4 sentences.
Home & Living
Band 5 Answer
"I live in an apartment. It's small."
Band 7 Answer
"I currently live in a two-bedroom apartment in the suburbs. I've been there for about three years now, and I quite like it because it's close to public transport but still relatively quiet."
Work & Studies
Hobbies & Free Time
Technology
More Part 1 Categories
Part 2 Topics (Cue Cards)
Part 2 gives you a cue card with a topic and bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1-2 minutes.
People
- Describe a person who inspires you
- Describe a friend you've known for a long time
- Describe someone good at their job
- Describe a family member you admire
- Describe someone who taught you something
- Describe a famous person you'd like to meet
Places
- Describe a place you'd like to visit
- Describe a city you've been to
- Describe your favorite room
- Describe a quiet place you like
- Describe a historical place
- Describe a park or garden
Objects
- Describe something important to you
- Describe a gift you received
- Describe technology you use often
- Describe a book that influenced you
- Describe a photo you like
Events & Experiences
- Describe a memorable event
- Describe a time you helped someone
- Describe a difficult decision you made
- Describe a journey you remember well
- Describe an achievement you're proud of
Activities
- Describe a hobby you enjoy
- Describe something you do to stay healthy
- Describe a skill you want to learn
- Describe an outdoor activity you like
Need Intensive Part 2 Practice?
See our IELTS Speaking Part 2 Guide with cue card strategies and 50 topics.
Part 3 Topics
Part 3 follows from Part 2 with deeper discussion questions. You need to express opinions, compare ideas, and discuss abstract concepts.
Example Part 3 Questions
If Part 2 was about "a person who inspires you":
- What qualities make someone inspiring?
- Do young people have different role models than older generations?
- How has the idea of success changed over time?
- Should celebrities be considered role models?
If Part 2 was about "technology you use":
- How has technology changed the way we work?
- What are the disadvantages of relying on technology?
- Should children use smartphones?
- How might technology change in the next 20 years?
How to Prepare
1. Build Topic Vocabulary
For each topic category, prepare 10-15 topic-specific words, 3-4 collocations, and 2-3 idiomatic expressions.
Example for "Technology":
- Words: gadget, device, cutting-edge, innovative, user-friendly
- Collocations: social media platforms, digital literacy, tech-savvy
- Idioms: on the cutting edge, at the click of a button
2. Prepare Personal Examples
For Part 2, prepare flexible stories that can answer multiple topics:
One story, multiple uses:
"The time I traveled to Japan" can answer:
- Describe a place you visited
- Describe a time you tried new food
- Describe a memorable experience
- Describe a time you learned something
3. Practice Timed Responses
- Part 1: Aim for 20-30 second answers
- Part 2: Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes
- Part 3: Aim for 30-45 second responses
4. Get Feedback
Speaking alone isn't enough. You need to know if you're using filler words, if your grammar is consistent, and if your vocabulary is appropriate for Band 7.
Practice with AI Feedback
Verborise gives you: Band score estimation, phrase upgrades, grammar feedback, filler word detection, and coherence analysis.
Start IELTS PracticeBand 7 Techniques
| Technique | Example |
|---|---|
| Hedging | "I tend to prefer...", "Generally speaking..." |
| Discourse markers | "Having said that...", "On the other hand..." |
| Relative clauses | "...which is something I've always enjoyed" |
| Collocations | "make a decision" not "do a decision" |
| Idiomatic language | "Once in a blue moon", "A blessing in disguise" |
See also: Part 2 Cue Card Guide | Full IELTS Course | How to Get Band 7