Example IELTS Speaking Questions & Topics

Hometown

I’d just like to ask you some questions about your hometown or city.

1. What type of place is it?
2. What was it like growing up there?
3. Has it changed much since you were a child?

Studies

I’d just like to ask you some questions about your studies.

1. What are you studying?
2. Why did you choose that particular course?
3. What job would you like when you have completed all your studies?

Work

I’d just like to ask you some questions about your work.

1. What work do you do?
2. What do you enjoy most about your work?
3. What are your main duties?
4. Is there any other work you would like to do in the future?

Free Time

I’d like to move on and ask you some questions about your free time

1. What type of activities do you like to do in your free time?
2. How long have you been interested in these activities?
3. Do you like to do theses activities alone or with other people? (Why)?
4. Do you think people have enough free time? (Why/why not)?

Family

I’d like to move on and ask you some questions about your family.

1. How many people are there in your family?
2. Do you all live in the same house? (Why/why not)?
3. What things do you like doing together?
4. Who is your favourite family member?

Timing

Let’s move on and talk about being on time for appointments.

1. Is being late acceptable in your culture? (Why/why not)?
2. Are you ever late for appointments? (Why/why not)?
3. What type of excuses do you think are alright for lateness?
4. How do you feel when someone is late for an appointment with you?

Neighbours

Let’s change the topic and talk about your neighbours

1. Do you know the people who live next door to you?
2. How often do you see each other?
3. What kind of relationship do you have?
4. How can neighbours be helpful?
5. What kind of problems can people have with their neighbours in a big city?

Food

Moving to a new topic, I’d like to discuss cooking and meals with you.

1. Do you enjoy cooking? (Why/why not)?
2. What type of things can you cook? (Why)?
3. What kinds of food are popular in your country?
4. Is it an important part of your culture to have dinner parties? (Why)?
5. Do you prefer to eat with other people or on your own? (Why)?

Dreams

I’d now like to discuss your night time dreams with you.

1. Do you dream much at night?
2. Do you often remember your dreams?
3. Do you think we can learn anything from dreams? (Why)?
4. Do people in your country talk about their dreams? (Why)?
5. Do you think that dreams can come true?

Magazines and Newspapers

Okay, let’s move to a different topic and discuss magazines and newspapers.

1. Which do you prefer reading, newspapers or magazines? (Why)?
2. What type of stories do you like to read about? (Why)?
3. Do you think reading a magazine or a newspaper can help you learn a language? (Why)?
4. Why do you think some people prefer magazines to newspapers?

Humour

Let’s change the topic and talk about comedy and humour.

1. What type of programmes do you find funny on TV?
2. Which types of programmes are most popular in your country? (Why)?
3. What kind of things make you laugh? (Why)?
4. Do you like to make people laugh? (How)?
5. Do you think it is important to have a sense of humour? (Why)?