The IELTS Speaking test is a 11 to 14 minute conversation with an examiner. You cannot prepare for it by reading, and you cannot prepare for it alone. The candidates who score 7 and above have one thing in common: they spoke to real people, often, before the test. This guide gives you the format, 30 real-style questions for all three parts, sample answers, and a simple way to practise with a partner every day.
The format in one minute
- Part 1 (4 to 5 minutes): questions about you: home, work, studies, hobbies, daily life. Short answers, two or three sentences each.
- Part 2 (3 to 4 minutes): a cue card. One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes on the topic.
- Part 3 (4 to 5 minutes): discussion questions connected to the Part 2 topic. Longer, more general answers with reasons and examples.
You are scored on fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Notice: not "correct facts". The examiner does not care whether your city really has a metro. They care how you talk about it.
Part 1: 12 questions with sample answers
Where do you live?
"I live in Jaipur, in Rajasthan. It is a historic city, quite crowded in the centre, but the area where I live is calm and residential."
Do you work or study?
"I am a final-year commerce student. I also help in my father's shop on weekends, which teaches me more than some of my classes do."
What do you like about your studies?
"I enjoy accounting because it is logical. Every problem has a clear answer, and I like that."
How do you usually spend your weekends?
"Mostly with family. On Sunday mornings we cook together, and in the evening I meet friends or watch something."
Do you prefer mornings or evenings?
"Mornings, definitely. My mind is fresh, so I do my difficult work before noon."
Do you like cooking?
"A little. I can make basic dal and rice, but my mother is the real cook in the house."
Other common Part 1 questions to prepare: What kind of music do you like? Do you use public transport? How often do you exercise? Are you a tidy person? Do you like reading? What is your favourite season?
The trick for Part 1: answer, then add one reason or one detail. Two sentences, not one word, not a speech.
Part 2: cue card with a sample answer
Describe a person who has influenced you. You should say: who the person is, how you know them, what they have done, and explain why they influenced you.
"The person who has influenced me most is my school English teacher, Mrs. Sharma. I studied with her from class eight to class twelve in Jaipur. She was strict, but she did one thing no other teacher did: she made every student speak for two minutes in every class, in English, about anything. At first it was terrifying. By class ten, it was normal. She also gave us a new word every day and expected us to use it the next day. What influenced me most was not the English itself but her belief that ability comes from daily practice, not talent. I still follow that idea in everything I learn, and it is the reason I am comfortable speaking to you today."
That is about 150 words, roughly 90 seconds at a natural pace. Structure: who, how you know them, what they did, why it mattered, one line to finish.
More cue cards to practise: a memorable journey; a skill you learnt recently; a place you like to visit; a time you helped someone; a book or film that impressed you; a festival in your country; a decision that changed your life; something you want to buy.
Part 3: 12 discussion questions with sample answers
Do you think teachers are as important today as they were in the past?
"I think they are more important, not less. Information is everywhere now, but a teacher shows you what matters and keeps you consistent. A video cannot notice that you are confused."
Should role models be famous people?
"Not necessarily. Famous people can inspire, but the people close to us influence our daily choices far more. My teacher was not famous, and she changed my life."
How has technology changed the way people learn languages?
"It has removed the excuse of no resources. Anyone with a phone can practise speaking with real people online now. The difficulty is discipline, not access."
Is it better to learn a language as a child or as an adult?
"Children pick up pronunciation more easily, but adults learn faster in some ways because they understand grammar and they have a clear reason. Motivation matters more than age."
Other Part 3 questions to prepare: Why do some people find it hard to speak in public? Should governments spend more on education or on healthcare? How will cities change in the next 20 years? Are festivals losing their meaning? Is it good that many young people move to big cities? What makes a good friend? Do people read less than before?
The trick for Part 3: opinion, reason, example. Three sentences minimum. Use "I think", "for example", "on the other hand", and do not stop after the first sentence.
How to practise with a partner (the method that works)
- Take turns as examiner. One person asks Part 1 questions for four minutes, then switches. The examiner should not help; silence is part of the test.
- Time Part 2 strictly. One minute to prepare with notes, two minutes to speak. Stop the partner at two minutes. Most candidates stop at 40 seconds; learn to keep going.
- Go deeper in Part 3. The examiner partner asks "Why?" after every answer at least once.
- Record one round a week on your phone and listen for fillers ("actually", "basically", "you know") and long pauses.
- Do it with strangers. A friend is comfortable; the examiner is not. Practising in a Vocab24 Live room or a 1:1 call with a learner you do not know is closer to the real test.
Useful language for all three parts
- Buying time: "That is an interesting question." "Let me think for a second." "I have not thought about it before, but..."
- Giving reasons: "The main reason is..." "This is because..." "One example is..."
- Comparing: "Compared to my parents' time..." "On the one hand... on the other hand..."
- Finishing: "So, overall..." "That is why I feel..."
Learn ten of these and use them until they are automatic. They keep you talking while your brain finds the next idea.
Frequently asked questions
How long should my answers be?
Part 1: two or three sentences. Part 2: speak until the examiner stops you, about two minutes. Part 3: three to five sentences with a reason and an example.
Can I use Indian English or should I sound British or American?
Indian English is fine. Clear pronunciation is what is scored, not accent.
What if I do not know anything about the topic?
Say so and talk anyway: "I do not know much about this, but I imagine..." The test scores your English, not your knowledge.
Do grammar mistakes fail me?
No. Everyone makes some. Fluency with a few mistakes scores higher than perfect grammar with long pauses.
How many weeks of practice do I need?
Daily speaking for four to six weeks changes most candidates' scores by half a band or more. Ten minutes a day is enough if it is real conversation.
Start today
Pick three Part 1 questions from this page, answer them aloud, then ask someone the same three. Every evening this week, do one Part 2 cue card with a partner in a live room. By the weekend the format will feel familiar, and familiar is the opposite of nervous.
