IELTSSWITCH

Speaking · 4–5 minutes

IELTS Speaking Part 3

IELTS Speaking Part 3 usually lasts around 4–5 minutes and takes the form of a discussion. The examiner will ask roughly 5–6 questions, although this can vary slightly, and they are generally linked to the same topic you spoke about in Part 2. Compared to Part 1, the questions are more abstract and require deeper thinking, often focusing on broader social issues or general ideas rather than personal experience. This is your chance to give longer, more developed answers and explain your opinions clearly. The examiner may also challenge your views or ask follow-up questions, so you’ll need to justify your ideas and explore the topic in more depth.

Education

  1. How has education changed in recent years?
  2. What are the advantages of online learning?
  3. Do you think exams are a good way to assess students?
  4. Should schools focus more on practical skills?
  5. What makes a good teacher?
  6. Is higher education necessary for success?
  7. How can governments improve education systems?
  8. Should students be allowed to choose their subjects?
  9. What role does technology play in education?
  10. Do you think education will look different in the future?

Technology

  1. How has technology changed communication?
  2. Do you think people rely too much on technology?
  3. What are the disadvantages of modern technology?
  4. Should children have access to smartphones?
  5. How might technology develop in the future?
  6. Has technology made people more or less social?
  7. What are the risks of artificial intelligence?
  8. Should governments regulate technology companies?
  9. How does technology affect work-life balance?
  10. Is privacy becoming less important nowadays?

Environment

  1. What are the biggest environmental problems today?
  2. How can individuals help protect the environment?
  3. Do you think governments are doing enough?
  4. What are the causes of climate change?
  5. Should companies be punished for pollution?
  6. How can we encourage people to recycle more?
  7. Is it too late to reverse environmental damage?
  8. How does urbanisation affect the environment?
  9. What role do schools play in environmental education?
  10. Are younger people more environmentally aware?

Work

  1. How has the nature of work changed?
  2. What factors make a job satisfying?
  3. Do people work too much nowadays?
  4. What are the benefits of working from home?
  5. Should people change careers during their lives?
  6. What skills are important for future jobs?
  7. Is job security more important than salary?
  8. How can employers motivate workers?
  9. What are the disadvantages of remote work?
  10. Do you think machines will replace human workers?

Travel

  1. Why do people like to travel?
  2. How has tourism changed over time?
  3. What are the negative effects of tourism?
  4. Should governments limit tourism in some places?
  5. How can travel benefit local communities?
  6. Is international travel becoming too common?
  7. What is the difference between travelling now and in the past?
  8. How can tourism be made more sustainable?
  9. Do people learn more from travel or education?
  10. Will people travel more or less in the future?

Health

  1. What are the main health problems in your country?
  2. How can people be encouraged to live healthier lives?
  3. Is it the government’s responsibility to improve public health?
  4. What role does diet play in health?
  5. Are people more health-conscious now than before?
  6. Should junk food be regulated?
  7. How does stress affect health?
  8. What are the benefits of regular exercise?
  9. Should healthcare be free for everyone?
  10. How might health change in the future?

Media & Social Media

  1. How has social media changed society?
  2. What are the dangers of social media?
  3. Should there be limits on online content?
  4. How do people get news nowadays?
  5. Is traditional media still important?
  6. How does media influence public opinion?
  7. Should celebrities be role models?
  8. What are the advantages of social media?
  9. Is it easy to trust information online?
  10. How might media change in the future?

Culture

  1. Why is it important to preserve traditions?
  2. How does globalisation affect culture?
  3. Should governments support the arts?
  4. What is the role of culture in society?
  5. Do younger people value tradition less?
  6. How can cultural heritage be protected?
  7. Is cultural exchange always positive?
  8. How has culture changed over time?
  9. Should schools teach more about culture?
  10. What are the benefits of cultural diversity?

Cities

  1. Why are more people moving to cities?
  2. What problems do big cities face?
  3. How can cities become more liveable?
  4. Is city life better than rural life?
  5. What are the advantages of public transport?
  6. How can traffic problems be reduced?
  7. Should governments invest more in cities or rural areas?
  8. How does city life affect people’s lifestyles?
  9. What will cities look like in the future?
  10. Are cities becoming too crowded?

Crime & Society

  1. Why do people commit crimes?
  2. How can crime be reduced?
  3. Do you think punishment is effective?
  4. Should prisons focus on punishment or rehabilitation?
  5. What role does education play in reducing crime?
  6. Are crime rates increasing or decreasing?
  7. How does poverty affect crime?
  8. Should young offenders be treated differently?
  9. What are the effects of crime on society?
  10. How can communities become safer?

Advertising

  1. How does advertising influence people’s choices?
  2. Is advertising more effective now than in the past?
  3. Should there be limits on advertising?
  4. What makes an advertisement successful?
  5. Do people trust advertisements?
  6. How does advertising affect children?
  7. Are online ads more effective than traditional ones?
  8. Should companies be responsible for misleading ads?
  9. How has advertising changed with technology?
  10. Is advertising always necessary for businesses?

Money & Spending

  1. Why do people like to save money?
  2. Is it better to save or spend money?
  3. How do people’s spending habits change with age?
  4. Should children be taught about money?
  5. What are the advantages of a cashless society?
  6. Do people spend too much on unnecessary things?
  7. How does advertising influence spending?
  8. Is it important to plan your finances?
  9. What problems can money cause?
  10. How can people manage money better?

Shopping

  1. Why do people enjoy shopping?
  2. How has shopping changed in recent years?
  3. What are the advantages of online shopping?
  4. Are there any disadvantages of shopping online?
  5. Do people buy too many things nowadays?
  6. How does shopping affect the environment?
  7. Should people be encouraged to buy less?
  8. What makes a good shopping experience?
  9. Do men and women shop differently?
  10. Will physical shops disappear in the future?

Leisure Time

  1. Why is leisure time important?
  2. How do people spend their free time?
  3. Do people have enough free time nowadays?
  4. How has leisure time changed over the years?
  5. What are the benefits of hobbies?
  6. Should people spend free time productively?
  7. Do children use their free time well?
  8. What is the difference between free time now and in the past?
  9. How can people balance work and leisure?
  10. Is it important to relax regularly?

Sports

  1. Why are sports important in society?
  2. Should sports be compulsory in schools?
  3. What are the benefits of team sports?
  4. Why do some people dislike sports?
  5. How can governments encourage people to exercise?
  6. Are professional athletes overpaid?
  7. How has sport changed with technology?
  8. What is the role of sport in education?
  9. Do men and women have equal opportunities in sports?
  10. Will people be more or less active in the future?

Transport

  1. What are the main transportation problems in cities?
  2. How can public transport be improved?
  3. Why do people prefer private cars?
  4. What are the environmental effects of transport?
  5. Should governments invest more in public transport?
  6. How will transport change in the future?
  7. Is cycling a good alternative to driving?
  8. What are the benefits of high-speed trains?
  9. How can traffic congestion be reduced?
  10. Should cars be banned from city centres?

Family

  1. How has family life changed in recent years?
  2. What is the role of parents in children’s education?
  3. Should children live with their parents as adults?
  4. How important is family support?
  5. What makes a strong family?
  6. Do families spend enough time together?
  7. How do family structures differ across cultures?
  8. Should elderly people live with their families?
  9. What are the challenges families face today?
  10. How can families improve communication?

Art

  1. Why is art important in society?
  2. Should governments fund the arts?
  3. How can art benefit individuals?
  4. Is modern art meaningful?
  5. How can children be encouraged to appreciate art?
  6. What is the difference between traditional and modern art?
  7. Do people in your country value art?
  8. Can art change people’s opinions?
  9. Should art be taught in schools?
  10. How has technology influenced art?

Communication

  1. How has communication changed over time?
  2. Do people communicate differently online?
  3. What are the advantages of face-to-face communication?
  4. Are communication skills important at work?
  5. Why do misunderstandings happen?
  6. How can people improve communication skills?
  7. Is written communication better than spoken?
  8. How does culture affect communication?
  9. Do young people communicate better than older people?
  10. Will communication become easier in the future?

Globalisation

  1. What is the impact of globalisation on society?
  2. Does globalisation benefit everyone?
  3. How does globalisation affect culture?
  4. What are the advantages of globalisation?
  5. Are there any disadvantages?
  6. How has globalisation changed business?
  7. Does globalisation increase inequality?
  8. How does it affect local traditions?
  9. Should countries try to limit globalisation?
  10. What will globalisation look like in the future?