The most recent ielts questions

Are you wondering what happens on the IELTS Speaking test? Don’t
worry! You can stop guessing and wondering because today I will
show you exactly what you should expect before, during, and after
the Speaking test.
Before the Speaking Exam
In most test centers around the world, all four sections of the IELTS
exam are held on the same day. Beginning at 9am, you take the
Listening Test, then the Reading Test and then the Writing Test.
These three sections are all done in the morning, and should be
finished on or before noon.
After this tiring and challenging morning of English, you are free to
gather your belongings, which were checked in before entering the
examination room, and leave the test center for lunch. Usually,
there is a schedule posted which tells candidates what time their
Speaking Exam is. The time of the interview can be anywhere from
1pm to 7pm. Again, this is the schedule of most test centers;
however, some test centers do offer Speaking Exams on different
days, often in the week before or the week following the official
test date.
Test day can be quite tiring and stressful, especially trying to fill
the time before the Speaking Exam while not stressing out too
much. Make sure to make a plan for these possible hours, such as a
place to eat lunch and a park to take a walk in. Look at a map of
the area around the test center before test day and plan some
activities.
You should aim to be back at the test center one hour to 30
minutes before your scheduled time. Many candidates are able to
be interviewed before their time. Again, make sure you have a
book, tablet or another relaxing activity to fill the wait time.
An IELTS staff member will call your name, then check your ID again
and do one fingerprint. You give the staff member your belongings,

even your cell phone, as you are only allowed to bring your ID into
the interview room. Then, a staff member will take you to the
Speaking Exam room, and you will sit in a chair outside. You must
wait for the examiner to come and get you – do not try to go in
before this.
During the Speaking Exam: 11-14 minutes


When you enter the room and sit directly across from the examiner,
the examiner will begin by turning on the recording device, usually
an mp3 player, and sometimes she/he will use a timer. The
examiner will introduce the test for the recording, and then say
good afternoon to you and look at your passport. Then the exam
begins.
In Part 1, you will be asked about three topics. They are all easy
topics, and all the questions are about you or your personal
experiences. The first group of questions will probably be about
your home/hometown, your work or your studies. The next sets of
questions will be about anything from shopping to exercise to food,
but, again, they are all easy and they are all about you. Aim for
each answer you give to be 2-5 sentences.
In Part 2, the examiner will give you directions, then hand you a
topic card, pencil and paper. You will have one minute to take notes
about the topic, and then you must speak for two minutes. Do not
stop speaking- keep talking until the examiner asks you to stop.
Usually, after the examiner stops you, he/she will ask you a followup question. You only have to give a one sentence answer to this
closing question – it’s not important.
Finally, in Part 3, the examiner will ask you more abstract
questions about the world or society in general. The questions are
related to the Part 2 topic, but they are more difficult, formal and

academic questions, such as Why do young people spend so much
time online nowadays? Is this positive or negative? Part 3, like Part
1, only lasts 4-5 minutes. Aim for your answers in Part 3 to be
approximately 30 seconds – not too long, and not too short.
Practice answering in this rough time frame before the exam so
your answers are direct and organized.
When Part 3 is finished, the examiner will thank you, and you
should also say thank you, and you can leave the room. That’s it!
You’re done! Leave the test center and relax.
In order to raise your score you should know some common idioms
and expressions.
/>1. Speaking test
Interview
- What is your full name?


-

Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Let’s talk about your home.
Is it a house or an apartment?
Can you describe it?
Do you like living there?
What did you learn in primary school?
Which subject did you like the most?
Why did you like it?

Cue Card

Talk about an instance when you had to wake up early in the morning. Please
say:
– why you had to wake up early
– what you did
– how you felt later in the day
Discussion
- Do you think older or younger people have more difficulty in
waking up early?
- Why do you think young people need more sleep?
- What advantages are there for people that go to work very early
in the morning?
- Do you think people like to do their sports early? Why?
- Is there a problem, if people sleep long hours? Why?
- Is it necessary to be on time for our appointments, in your opinion?
- Is it a problem to be late for an appointment?
- What is the difference between people who are always on time and those who are always late?

- Miss heavy traffic, more energy/more productive, less distracted
at work by other people such as colleagues, customers and clients
etc.
2.Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What is the most interesting thing about your studies?
What other subjects do you study? Why?
Let’s talk about text messages.

- How often do you send text/sms phone messages?
- Would you prefer to get good news by phone or via text
message?
- Let’s talk about movies.
- What kinds of movies do you enjoy watching? Why?
- How often do you go to the cinema? Who with?
- Do you prefer to watch films at home or the cinema?
Cue Card
Describe an educational trip you went on at school. Please say
- Where and when did you go?
- What did you do there?
- Explain what you learned from that trip.
Discussion
- How many times did you go on such trips during your school
years?
- Did you enjoy these trips?
- What kinds of educational trips are common in your country now?
- How can parents encourage and support their children's studies
at home?
3 Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Do you live in a house or an apartment?
- Describe your home.
- Do you like your home?
- Would you like to live there in the future?

- What style of clothes do you usually wear? Why?
- Do you wear different clothes during the week and at weekends?
- Will you continue to wear the same type of clothes in the future?
Why?
- Are there any particular colours of clothing that you prefer? Why?
Cue Card
Talk about a person you know who is a good cook.
Please say
- Who is this person?


- Why do you think he/she is a good cook?
- How did he/she learn to cook so well?
Discussion
- Are you a good cook?
- Do you enjoy cooking?
- Tell me what you know about the eating habits of children?
- Should children know the ingredients/preservatives in the food
they are eating?
- Should they also know the source of these products? Why?
- Should schools take responsibility for providing healthy and
nutritious food to the students?
- Should all children be taught how to cook at school? Why or why
not?

4
Interview
-

What is your full name?

Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Let’s talk about transport.
Do you prefer private or public transport? Why?
When was the last time you travelled by public transport?
Why don’t you use it more often?

Cue Card
Talk about a cafe or a restaurant that you enjoy visiting. Please say
- Where is it?
- What can you eat or drink there?
- How often do you visit it?
Discussion
- Do you enjoy international cuisine?
- Describe cafes and restaurants in general in your country.
- Do people usually go to cafes and restaurants, to meet friends or
family in your country?


-

Are there good restaurants in your area?
What kind of food do they serve?
Do you think it’s healthy? Why?
What makes a restaurant popular? Why?

5.Speaking test
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you study?
What do you intend to do after finishing your studies?
Do you like to watch TV?
What do you usually watch?
Did you watch TV more often as a child?
What kind of programs should be on TV in your opinion?

Cue Card
Describe your favorite famous person. Please say
- Who is he/she?
- What does he/she do?
- When did he/she become famous?
Discussion
- Would you like to be famous? Why?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?
- Do you think there are benefits to being the child of a famous
person?

6
Speaking test
Interview


-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
Do you like living there?
What do you like most about your home?
What do you like to do at/on weekends?
What did you do last weekend and with whom?

Cue Card
Talk about a subject you didn’t like at school, but that interests you
now. Please say
- What is it?
- Why didn’t you like it back in school?
- Why does it interest you now?
Discussion
-

How does the Internet help in modern education.
What are the positive and negative aspects of the Internet?
Is TV as important in education as the Internet is?
Do you consider some TV programs to be a waste of time? Why?

7.
Speaking test
Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?

- Do you work or study?
- Do you enjoy your work?
- Do you see yourself working in the same field in the future?
- Have you worked or studied in a group/team?
- Do you prefer to study in a group or individually?
- What does one learn while working or studying in a group?
- What are the drawbacks or disadvantages of studying/working in
a group/team?


- What are the colours that you would rather not have in your
house?
Cue Card
Talk about a song that reminds you
of a particular period of your life.
Please say
- What is it about?
- What is the significance of this song to you?
- What do you feel when you hear this song now?
Can be one that was sung to you or radio or school
Discussion
- What kind of music is popular among young people?
- How important is music in our lives? Why?
- Is music important in your culture?
- Let’s talk about music.
- Why aren’t some local singers as successful as the overseas ones?
- Do you think that language of the song matters?
- Do you think the Internet affects the music industry? Why?

- Do you think everybody can sing?

- What is the difference between those who took music lessons and
those who didn’t?
- How does music influence different cultures?
- Why are some musicians more successful than others?
- Who is your favourite musician? Why?
- Is there a difference between music for young people and older
generation?
- Do you think that music should be taught to children?
- Is there any relation between age and the type of music people
like?
- Do you think a persons preference in music changes as they grow
older?
8. Cue Card
Describe a surprise that made you happy. Please say
- What was it?
- Why did the surprise make you happy
- Where and when did it happen?


Discussion
- Who planned this surprise?
- How did you find out about the surprise?
- How do people in your country show happiness?
- It is said that happiness contributes to good health. Do you agree
or disagree?
- Why do you think so?
- Do you think poor people are happy in your country?

9.
Speaking test

Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
What is more important, people you work with or the job itself?
Do you like your job?
What interests you the most about it? Why?
Did you read a lot as a child?
What kind of books did you read? Why?
Do you still like to read?

Cue Card
Describe a photo that you have in your house. Please say
- Who is in that photo?
- Where and when was it taken?
- Why is it important to you
Discussion
-

Why was the photo taken?
How did you get this photo?
Why do you like this photo?
Do you think photos, drawings and paintings are important?
Do you think art classes are important at school?
Is it a core subject in schools in your country?
What do children learn there?

How can early childhood art classes be beneficial later in life?


- What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking photos
with a mobile/smart phone?
10.
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Where do you live now?
- Do you live in a house or an apartment?
- Are there any shops close to your home?
- Which types of shops are they?
-which type of shop is missing?
- Do you prefer to send emails or letters? Why?
- When do you find it difficult to write an email or letter?
Cue Card
Talk about a school friend or person from school who was a good
leader.
Please:
- Describe him/her.
- Why do you think he/she was/is a good leader?
- What did/do other people say about him/her?
Related Cue Card Question
Cue Card
Talk about a person who is a leader and admired by you. Please say
- Who is this person?
- Where did you meet him/her?
- Why do you admire him/her?

Discussion
- Are you a leader?
- What skills are necessary to be a leader? Why?
- Is a good leader important for a team?
- What are the effects of leadership on a person?

- Do you think you could be a good leader?
- Who do you think is the main decision maker in a family?
- Do you think a woman can play the main role in a family?
- Who will be the decision maker in a family in the future?
- Do you think managers should involve employees in making
decisions?
- Can you compare a manager to an employee?


11.
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
Do you have visitors at your home often?
When do they usually come to your place?
Do you do any kind of preparation before they come?
What is it?

Cue Card

Talk about a strong disagreement/argument that you had with a
friend. Please say
- What was the disagreement about?
- How did you resolve it?
- What was the result?
Discussion
- What disagreements do teenagers usually have with their
parents?
- What disagreements do children usually have with each other?
- Do you think being polite is an important cultural aspect? Why?
- Do you think being polite helps in business? How?
12. Cue Card
Talk about a historical building that you have recently visited.
Please say
- What and where was it?
- When did you visit it?
- What special features attracted you the most?
Discussion
- What can be done to attract people to visit historical places?
- Would you prefer to renovate historical buildings or to build new
ones?
- Who should take the responsibility for repairing historical
buildings, the government or the public? Why?


- Why do you think historical buildings are important to people?
13.
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Where do you live now?
Describe your home.
Would you prefer to live in an apartment or a house?
Do you have any plants or flowers?

Cue Card
Describe a stage or an age in your life that you have enjoyed the
most. Please say
- What age/stage was it?
- What did you do then?
- Why was it enjoyable?
- Why do you remember that age/stage?
Discussion
- What do you think is the best age in a person’s life?
- What is the general attitude towards older people in your
country?
- What can older people contribute to society?
14.
Cue Card
Describe a place that you have visited on a short trip and would
like to go back to. Please say
- What and where is it?
- What did you do there and with whom?
- Why do you want to go there again?
Discussion
- What are the differences between a long journey and a short trip?

- What are the advantages of short trips? Why?
- What places would you recommend to visit on a short trip in your
country?


16.
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What kind of films do you like?
Did you like different films as a child?
If you had a chance to make a movie, would you do it?

Cue Card
Describe any paid work that you did and enjoyed the experience.
Please say
- What was the work?
- With whom did you work?
- Why did you enjoy it?
Discussion
- How does work affect our daily lives?
- How is work related to the identity of a person?
- What kind of work is suitable for young people and the elderly?
17. Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
How often do have guests at your home?
What do you do during this time?
How well do you communicate with your family members? Why?
Why do people prefer emails instead of letters to contact others?

Cue Card
Talk about something you would like to buy in the future. Please
say
- What is it?


- How long have you had this idea for?
- Why do you want to buy it?
Discussion
- What age group spends the most time shopping? Why?
- How do advertisements influence people?
- What type of advertisements do you like to see? Why?
17B. Speaking test
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?

Do you live in a house or an apartment?
What kind of house is it?
Do you like living there? Why?
How many hours do you sleep a day?
How was your sleep when you were young?
Do you like reading?
Do you usually read before going to sleep? Why?

Cue Card
Describe a toy that was special to you as a child. Please say
- What was the toy?
- Who gave it to you and when?
- How often did you use to play with it?
Discussion
- Do you still have that toy?
- Do you think parents should buy every toy that their children want?
- In your country, what kind of toys do children usually play with?

- Do you think toys are important for children?
- What is the difference between toys at different ages of children?
- What is better in your opinion: electronic or simple toys?
- Do you think all children should play with the same toys as other
kids?
18.
Speaking test


Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Where did you live as a child?
Was it a house or an apartment?
What was your favourite place or room there as a child?
What types of newspapers do you have in your country?
How important is it to help others? Why?
Did your parents teach you to help others?
When was the last time you received help?

Cue Card
Talk about a friend who speaks a foreign language fluently. Please
say
- Who is he/she?
- What language is it?
- Where and when did he/she learn the language?
Discussion
- Would you like to learn a foreign language? Why?
- What language would it be? Why?
- How would you do it?
Cue Card
Talk about a historic place in your country. Please say
- What place is it?
- Where is it located?
- What is special about this place?
Discussion
- How often do you visit historical places?
- Which one would you like to visit next? Why?

19.
Speaking test
Interview


-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Do you exercise regularly?
How often do you do it?
What are the advantages of it?
What is the major benefit of it?

Cue Card
Talk about relaxation and its importance in our lives. Please say
- Why do you think it is important?
- Where do you usually go for relaxation?
- Why do you go there?
Discussion
- Where do people go for relaxation in your country?
- What is better for relaxation, to stay indoors or go outdoors?
Why?
- What can employers do for workers to help them relax?
- How important is it? Why?

20.Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Do you watch TV?
When do you usually do it?
Do you like watching TV advertisements? Why?

Cue Card
Describe a situation when you felt that what you did was a waste of
time.
Please say
- What and when was it?
- Why did feel this way?
- What did you do to change this?


Discussion
- Should parents encourage their children to manage their time
properly?
- Which age is most suitable to start doing it?
Cue Card 2
Describe a memorable event from your childhood. Please say
- What event was it?
- What do you remember about the event?
- Why do you think this event was memorable?
Discussion 2
- Did you have a lot of family events?
- What differentiates childhood from adulthood, in your opinion?

21.
Speaking test
Interview
-

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Let’s talk about your home.
Is it a house or an apartment you live in?
Can you describe it?
How long have you been living in this house/apartment?
Which room is your favourite? Why?

Cue Card
Talk about a job that is important in your country. Please say
- What job is it?
- Who can work in this job?
- What skills are necessary for doing it?
Discussion
- Which holiday is your favourite? Why?


-

Do you think we should have more holidays?
What do you usually do on holidays?
Do you plan your holidays well ahead of time/in advance?
Do you think it’s necessary for everyone to go to university?

22.
Speaking test
23.
Cue Card
Describe a place other than your home where you like to read or
write. Please say
- What and where is this place?
- What do you like about that place?
- How often do you visit it?
Discussion
- Do you take anybody else there?
- What are some of the other places available for people to read or
write?
- At what age do children start to read and write in your country?
- What difficulties do children and adults face when they start to
read or write?
- Who is responsible for teaching reading and writing to children?
Teachers or parents?
- How is this place helpful to you?
- Is it important to have a special place to read and write?
- Are there any other places that people can go to?
24.
Cue Card
Talk about an ambition that you have. Please say
- What is your ambition?
- Why do you want to do this?
- What have you done to achieve it?
Discussion
- Is it important to have ambitions in life?

- Do you have financial goals that you want to achieve?
- What are good ambitions for children, in your opinion?


- What should people do to achieve results in their ambitions?
25.
Cue Card
Describe a vehicle that you would like to buy. Please say
- What vehicle is it?
- When will you buy it?
- Explain why you want to buy it.
Discussion
- Let’s talk about the traffic situation in major cities in your
country.
- What are the main reasons for heavy traffic?
- What is the government doing to address these problems?
- What solution would you suggest?
- What problems does the government face when addressing traffic
problems?
26.
Cue Card
Talk about exercises or activities that you do to keep yourself fit or
healthy.
Please say
- What are they?
- When and where do you usually do them?
- What is the importance of fitness?
Discussion
- Do you like walking?
- What do people do to keep themselves fit in your country?

- What other options do they have?
- What are the favourite sports activities in your country? Why?
- Nowadays there are many gyms opening everywhere. Why do you
think it is?
- Do people in your country know the importance of sports
activities?

27.
Cue Card


Talk about a team you were in (either in sports/uni/school or at
work). Please say
- What team was it?
- Why were you in that team?
- What did you do there?
Discussion
- Did you enjoy being in that team? Why?
- Have you ever worked on a team?
- Do you think that children playing team sports, helps them in the
future?
28.
29.
Cue Card
Talk about something that you have learnt from the Internet.
Please say
- What was it?
- How did you find out about it?
- Was it useful for you?
Discussion

- What else can we learn from the Internet?
- How do people use the Internet for academic purposes?
- Why do some people use the Internet rather than books?
- Do you think libraries will be replaced by the Internet in the near
future?
- Which way to learn is better, through the use of Internet or by
reading books?
- How can students look for information from the Internet?
- Is it reliable?
- How did the quality of life change with the invention of the
Internet?
- What are the benefits of Internet use?

30.
Cue Card
Describe an exciting sport that you enjoy playing/watching
. Please say
- What is it?


- When do you usually do it/watch it?
- Why do you like it?
Discussion
- How did you come to know about it?
- Do you think sport is important for well-being?
- What can the government do to promote sport to people?
31.
Cue Card
Talk about an unusual building that you came across. Please say
- What building is it?

- Where and when did you see it?
- Why do you think it is unusual?
Discussion
- What is the importance of modern buildings in our cities?
- Some people prefer living in older buildings. Why?
- What are the different styles of architecture in your city?
32.
Cue Card
Talk about a gift you bought that took a long time to find. Please
say
- What was it?
- For whom did you buy it?
- How did she/he feel after receiving the gift?
Discussion
- What kind of gifts do people give to others in your country?
- Do you like giving gifts to others? Why?
- What do you usually give to children as a gift? Why?
- What is men’s and women’s attitude towards gifts?
- Why is this attitude or the way of giving gifts different between
men and women?
- What do people have to consider when buying gifts?
- Do you think gifts that we give to others should be useful? Why?
33.
Cue Card


Describe a situation when you had to be friendly to a person you
didn't like.
Please say
- Who was that person?

- What was the situation?
- How did you feel after that situation?
Discussion
- What is the difference between being polite and being friendly in
your opinion?
- In which situations do you need to be direct with a person?

34.
Cue card
Describe a good habit that one of your friends has, and that you
would like to develop too. Please say
- Who is you friend?
- What habit is it?
- Why do you want to develop this habit?
Discussion
- Do you think people should develop good habits when they are
young?
- Can children develop their habits? How?
- Can a good habit that someone had as a child disappear when
they grow up? Why?
- What kind of effect can good childhood habits have on a person
when they become an adult?
- What kind of thing can break a good habit?
Saving money,personal hygiene/fitness,teeth,skin,washing
hands,exercise, breathing/relaxing techniques, steambath,
35.
Cue Card
Talk about some advice that you gave to someone. Please say
- What was the advice?
- To whom did you give it?

- Did they follow your advice??
- Did it help them?


Discussion
- Who gives you advice at work?
- Are young people capable of giving good advice?
- Would you prefer to get advice or to take a training course?
- Are there community services or groups that offer advice in your
hometown?
- Who are the people in your community that give advice?
36.
Cue Card
Describe a place that you went to for a long time. Please say
- When and where was it?
- With whom did you go there?
- What did you do there?
Discussion
-

Would you like to go there again? Why?
Do you usually go on long or short trips?
What form of transport do you usually use?
Do you prefer to travel alone or with family/friends? Why?
What is the benefit/advantage of travelling alone?

37.
Cue Card
Describe an occasion when you received very good service from a
company or a shop. Please say

- What company is it?
- What was the product?
- Who helped you with it?
Discussion
- Do companies in your country respond quickly to customers’
complaints?
- Would you buy another product from this company? Why?
- What else would you buy there?
- What should companies do to retain their customer base?
- What would be your suggestions?
38.
Cue Card


Talk about a memorable long trip that you made. Please say
- Where and when was it?
- How did you travel?
- What did you see during the journey?
Discussion
- Did you like the trip in general?
- Will you do it again?
- Would you suggest it to your friends or family?
- What precautions do you need to take during long trips?
- What are the main problems a person can face during long
journeys?
- What can people learn during their travel to other countries?
- What can people learn about themselves during long travels?
39.
Cue Card
Describe a situation where you had to communicate in a foreign language

for the first time. Please say
- When and where did it happen?
- What was the situation?
- How did it make you feel?
Discussion
- What is the right age to start teaching children a foreign language, in your
opinion?
- Why do you think so?
- Are there any exceptions?
- What different ways are there to teach a new language to kids?
40.
Cue Card
Talk about your favourite TV or radio program. Please say
- What is it about?
- How often do you watch it?
- Who do you watch it with?
Discussion
- Which foreign TV program is popular in your country now


- Do you watch documentaries?
- How can foreign TV programs help viewers improve their foreign
language skills?
41.
Cue Card
Talk about a book you have read recently. Please say
- What book was it?
- Why did you choose to read it?
- What did you like or dislike about it?
Discussion

- Would you recommend it to other readers?
- Is it important for adults to read books? Why?
- What is a popular book that most children in your country usually
read?
- What changes have happened to reading habits since the
introduction of e-books?

42.
Cue Card
Describe a change that you have always wanted to be made in your
local area.
Please say
- What is it?
- Whose responsibility is it?
- Suggest how it can be done.
Discussion
- Where do you and your friends usually meet?
- What do you like about being among people that you know?
- Do people find it difficult to get used to new places and people
when they move? Why?
- What suggestion would you have for those people?
43.
Cue
Talk about
a picture you have in your home that you like. Please say
- What picture is it?