Recent IELTS Speaking Questions 2023

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If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking exam, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may encounter on test day.

This guide features a collection of recent IELTS Speaking questions submitted by real test-takers around the world.

This speaking questions list covers a range of topics commonly found on the IELTS Speaking exam, from family and education to travel and culture.

Table of Contents

IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card topics and sample answers
Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: January 2023
Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: October 2022
Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: September 2022
Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: July 2022
February to March 2022 Speaking Part 2 Questions
January 2022 Speaking Part 2 Questions
June to August 2021 Speaking Part 2 Questions
January to April 2020 IELTS Speaking Questions
More Speaking Questions and Sample Answers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
VIDEO: IELTS Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card topics and sample answers

Below is a list of speaking part 2 cue cards and sample answers categorized by topic.

This list also includes audio tutorials and useful vocabulary for each question.

Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: January 2023

Take a look at some of the most recent IELTS Speaking topics and questions for Part 2 of the IELTS exam.

By reviewing these questions and practising your answers, you can gain valuable insight into the exam and build your confidence for test day.

1.Describe a special day out that cost you little money/did not cost you much. You should say:

- when the day was
- where you went
- how much you spend
- and explain how you feel about the day.

Listen to the sample answer here.

2. Talk about something healthy you enjoy doing. Please tell me:

- what you do
- where you do it
- who you do it with

Listen to the sample answer here.

3. Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place. You can say:

- where it is
- what the activity was
- what the place is like
- and if you enjoyed it

Listen to the sample answer here.

4. Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college). You should say:

- - what it was
  - when you learn it
  - how you learned it
  - and explain why it was important.

Listen to the sample answer here.

5. Describe an interesting place in your country that you would recommend to tourists. You can say:

- where it is
- what it is like
- what you can do there
- and why you would recommend it to tourists

Listen to the sample answer here.

6. Talk about a friend who played an important role in your life. You should say:

- How you met this person
- How long have you know him/her
- What do you do or did together

7. Describe an interesting neighbor. You should say:

- who this person is
- how you know this person
- what he or she does
- and explain why you think this person is intelligent.

8. Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste. You can say:

- where it was
- what it was like
- how much and what kind of plastic / pollution there
- and say how you felt about it

9. Describe a time when you received money as a gift. You should say:

- When it happened
- Who gave you money
- Why he/she gave you money
- And explain how you used the money

10. Talk about food you tried but didn’t like. Please tell me:

- What it was
- Why you didn’t like it
- Whether you will try it again

Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: October 2022

Talk about a book or novel you recently read. Please tell me:
- Who wrote this
- What it is about
- Explain if you enjoyed reading it and why
Describe an important building in your hometown or city. You should say:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what it is used for
- and explain why you think it is important.
Describe a traditional product in your country. You should say:
- what the product is
- when you tried this product for the first time
- what it is made of
- and explain how you feel about it.
Describe an important lake/river in your country. Please tell me:
- where it is located
- how big/long it is
- what it looks like
- explain why it is important
Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting. You should say:
- where it was
- what it looked like
- what you did (or, were doing) there
- and explain why you liked it.
Describe a special day out that cost you little money/did not cost you much. You should say:
- when the day was
- where you went
- how much you spend
- and explain how you feel about the day.
Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants (vegetables, fruits, flowers). Please tell me:
- who this person is
- what they grow
- where they grow them
- explain why they enjoy growing plants
Describe something (special) that you saved money to buy. You should say:
- what it was
- how long it took you to save enough money to buy it
- why you wanted to buy this thing
- how you got (or, earned) the money
- and explain how you felt when (or, after) you bought it.
Describe your favourite childhood friend. You should say:
- who he/she is
- where you met each other
- what you often did together
- and explain what made you like him/her.
Describe a (very) intelligent person you know. You should say:
- who this person is
- when and where you (first) met them (him or her)
- what this person does in life (e.g., work/ study)
- and explain why you think this person is intelligent.

Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: September 2022

1. Describe a story you have heard about. You should say:

Who told this story
When you heard about it
What it was about
And explain how you felt about it

2. Describe an interesting neighbour. You should say:

Who he/she is
How you know him/her
What you do together
And explain why he/she is interesting

3. Describe something you do that can help you concentrate on work/study. You should say:

What it is
How it helps you concentrate
When you do it
And explain why it can help you concentrate

4. Describe a time you used your cellphone/smartphone to do something important. You should say:

When it happened
What happened
How important your cellphone/smartphone was to you then
And explain how you felt about the experience

5. Describe a positive change that you made in your life. You should say:

What the change was
When it happened
How it happened
Who helped you
And explain why it was a positive change

6. Describe a special day out that cost you little money/didn’t cost you much. You should say:

When the day was
Where you went
How much you spent
And explain how you felt about it

Recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: July 2022

Describe someone you really like to spend time with. You should say:

Who this person is
How you know him/her
What you usually do together
and explain why you like to spend time with him/her

2. Describe an event that changed your life (or, changed you) in a good way. You should say:

when it happened
where it happened
what the change was
and explain how you benefited from this change.

3. Describe an interesting song. You should say:

what the song is
what story does the song tell
whether the music is popular
and explain why you think it is interesting.

4. Talk about something in your home that was broken and then repaired. Please say:

What it was
When it happened
Why it was broken
And explain how it was repaired

5. Talk about the occasion when you gave someone a gift. Please tell me:

What the gift was
How you chose it
Explain how he/she reacted

6. Describe a happy event you organized. You should say:

what the event was
when you had it
who helped you to organize it
and explain how you feel about it.

7. Describe something you received for free. You should say:

what it was
who you received it from
where you received it
and explain how you felt about it.

8. Talk about an invention that changed the world. Please tell me:

What the invention is
When it was created
How it changed the world

9. Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved. Please tell me

What it is
Why you haven’t achieved it
What you did
Explain how you felt about it

10. Talk about something you do that can help you concentrate on study/work. Please tell me:

What it is
How it helps you concentrate
When you do it
Explain how you feel about it

Describe a time when you organised a happy event successfully. You should say:
- What the event was?
- How you prepared for it?
- Who helped you to organise it?
- And explain why you think it was a successful event?
Talk about a famous person from your country. Please say
- who he/she is
- what he/she is famous for
- how he/she became famous
- and explain how you feel about this person.
Talk about something you cannot live without (but not a computer or a mobile phone). Please say:
- what it is
- what you are using it for
- how long you have had it
- and explain why you cannot live without it.
Describe something that was broken in your home and then repaired. You should say
- What it is?
- How was it broken?
- Why do you remember it? And how do you feel about it?
Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved. You should say:
- What it is?
- Why you haven’t achieved it?
- What you did?
- And how you felt about it?
Describe a toy you got in your childhood. Please tell me:
- When you got the toy?
- Who gave it to you?
- Explain how you felt about the toy?
Describe something you received for free. You should say:
- What it was?
- Who you received it from?
- Where you received it?
- And how you felt about it?
Talk about a city you think is interesting. Please tell me:
- Where it is?
- What it is famous for?
- How you know about this city?
Describe a resolution you made in the new year. You should say:
- What is the resolution?
- How will you complete it?
- How you feel about it?
- Why you made this resolution?
Talk about something which is produced in your country such as a type of food or handicraft. Please tell me
- What it is?
- What it is used for?
- How it is made or produced?

Describe a person who contributes to the society
- Who this person is?
- How do you know him/her?
- What type of work does he/she do?
- And explain why you think he/she contributes to society?
Describe a puzzle you tried to solve. You should say
- What it was like
- How easy or difficult it was
- How long it took for you to solve it
- And explain how you felt about it.
Describe a time when you felt proud of a family member You should say:
- who the person is
- when it happened
- what the person did
- and explain why you felt proud of the person.
Describe a bicycle/motorcycle/car trip you would like to go on. You should say:
- who you would like to go with
- where you would like to go
- when you would like to go
- and explain why you would like to go by bicycle/motorcycle/car.
Talk about a memory you have from school. Include:
- What happened
- Why you remember
- Who you told about it
Describe a rule that you do not like. You should say:
- what it is
- why you do not like it
- how others feel about the rule
- and explain whether you have followed the rule.
Talk about a person who taught you how to do something. Include:
- Who it was
- What they taught you
- If you can still do it
Describe a story someone told you, and you remember. You should say:
- what the story was about
- who told you this story
- why you remember it
- and how you feel about it.
Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend. You should say:
- what gift you would like to buy
- who you would like to give it to
- why you would like to buy a gift for your friend
- and explain why you choose that gift.
Talk about an event you went to that had good food. Include:
- What the event was for
- What the food was
- Why you liked it

June to August 2021 Speaking Part 2 Questions

1.Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in. You should say:

where it is / where it would be
what you would (like to) do there
who you would (like to) live therewith
explain why you would like to live in this place.

2. Describe an interesting animal you have seen. You should say:

what animal it was
when and where you saw it
and explain how you feel about this animal

3. Describe a successful small business that you know about. You should say:

what business/company it is
what this business does
how you know about this business
explain why you think this business/company is successful.

4. Describe a crowded place you’ve been to. You should say:

when you went there
where the place is (or, was)
who you went there with
and explain how you felt about the place

5. Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with. You should say:

who this person is
what you usually do together
what kind of person he/she is
and explain why you spend the most time with him/her

6. Describe a person who is often in the news, and who you would like to meet. You should say:

who this person is
how you know him/her
why he/she is often in the news
and explain why you would like to meet him/her

7. Describe a change that could improve your local area. You should say:

what the change would be
how this change could be made
what problems are causing the need for this change
and explain how this change would improve your local area

8. Describe a natural talent (sport, music, etc.) you want to improve. You should say:

what is it
when you discovered it
why you want to improve it
and explain how you feel about it

9. Describe a time when it was important to tell your friend the truth. You should say:

who your friend is
what the truth was
what your friends’ reaction was
and explain why you think it was important to tell your friend the truth.

10. Describe a time when you tried to do something but were not very successful. You should say:

when and what you tried to do
why you failed to do it
and how you felt about it

January to April 2020 IELTS Speaking Questions

Take a look at some of our recent IELTS Speaking topics that will help you with your preparation for the IELTS exam.

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Do you like cakes and sweets?
Do you like spending time by yourself?
Do you like your house? Why?

Cue Card

Talk about a uniform that you wore in the past. Please say

Describe it.
Where and when was it?
How did you feel about wearing a uniform?

Discussion

Who bought it for you?
Why is it important to wear a uniform?
Does the fashion industry influence the dress style of younger people?
Is children’s dress style influenced by their peers?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Where do you live now?
What is the most interesting place to visit in your hometown?
Do many tourists visit your country?
Do you like long or short holidays?
Where do you like to go on holiday?
Do you prefer beach holidays or city holidays?
Do you have close friends?
What do you value the most in your friends?
Do you meet often with your friends?

Cue Card

Describe a new public building you want to visit. Please say

What building it is
Where and when was it built?
Why do you want to visit it?

Discussion

What types of buildings are there in your hometown?
Is it a good trend to have skyscrapers in the city?
Do you think buildings’ shapes and structures will change in the future?
Would you like to live in a different-shaped building, round or triangular?
Why is that?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Do you like your work?
What are your responsibilities there?
Would you like to work there in the future?
Does your job require full concentration?
What do you mean by concentration?

Cue Card

Talk about advice you received from someone that was very helpful. Please say

What was the advice?
Who gave it to you?
Why was it helpful?

Discussion

Do you often get advice from older people?
Do you like to give advice to others?
Why don’t many people follow good advice?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you study?
Why did you choose this course?
What are some of the drawbacks of using social media?
Do you use more social media now compared to in the past?

Cue Card

Talk about a singer or a music band which you listen to frequently. Please say

Who are they?
When and where did you hear them for the first time?
Why do you listen to them?

Discussion

What other music or band do you like?
Why do you think people listen to music?
Would you like to sing or play yourself?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Do you like your job?
Where do you stay now?
Do you live in an apartment or a house?
How long did you live there?
Describe your favorite room.
Why is it your favorite place?
Do you think people smile a lot nowadays?
Are their smiles artificial or mostly genuine?
When do you usually smile?
Why is that?

Cue Card

Describe a person whom you know well who came up with a new idea or invention. Please say

Who is that person?
Where and when did you meet?
What was his/her idea or invention?

Follow-up question: Why did you appreciate it?

Discussion

How can people innovate or make new discoveries?
How do they come up with these innovations?
At what age do children learn to form their own opinions and make decisions?
Who helps them?
Why do they start having their own opinions at a certain age?
Do you think their opinions are likely to be similar to their parents’ opinions?
Why is that?

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 do you like about your work?
Does the type of your work change from time to time?
Do people in your city like to go to parks?
Do you like to go to parks?
What do you do there?
Did you use to go to parks as a child?
What is your favorite park?

Cue Card

Describe an interesting event you have participated in recently. Please say

When and where was it?
What was the event?
Why was it interesting for you?

Discussion

What are some social events in your country?
What benefits do sponsors get from social events?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of international events?
Why do you think so?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What subject are you studying?
Why do you think people choose such a subject in your country?
Do you like reading books?
What type of books do you read?
Are you reading a book presently?
Would you like to write a book in the future?

Cue Card

Talk about a situation where you had to tell a lie to your friend. Please say

What was the lie?
When and where did you lie?
Why did you do it?

Discussion

Are you a patient person?
When did you get impatient recently?
Why did it happen?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What subject are you studying?
Let’s talk about numbers.
Can you memorize phone numbers easily?
Did you like studying math at school?
Why is that?
Are numbers important for your current studies?
Why or why not?

Cue Card

Talk about a teacher that influenced you in high school. Please say

Describe him/her.
When and where was it?
How did he/she influence you?

Discussion

What are the main skills needed to be a good learner?
Do you think it’s easier to study when you are young?
in your opinion, is it more efficient to study in class or by yourself?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Do you enjoy your job?
Do you prefer to work in the morning or in the afternoon?
Do you like to watch movies?
What genre of films do you like?
Do you like to watch comedies?
When did you watch a good comedy?
Do you think you and your friends will laugh at the same things?

Cue Card

Describe a sports or work team where you participate. Please say

What is it?
When and why did you join it?
Can you give a brief description of the team members?

Discussion

Explain why you were chosen to be part of this team.
What is the importance of international teamwork?
Can you give examples of teamwork among children?

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Where do you live now?
What do you do for entertainment there?
What music do you listen to?
Do you like to listen to music alone or with friends?
Do you wear jeans?
What is your opinion about people who wear jeans?
Why do you think so?

Cue Card

Talk about a recent celebration that you were invited to. Please say

What were you celebrating?
Who did you celebrate it with?
Why did you celebrate it?

Discussion

Let’s talk about convocations.
What are the main reasons for them?
Did you take part in any graduations?
How is naming ceremony celebrated?
Explain about church marriages in your country.

Interview

What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What do you do?
Do you like your job?
Where do you live now?
Describe your hometown.
What don’t you like about it?
Why is that?

Cue Card

Describe an interesting person that you have met. Please say

Who is he/she?
Where and when did you meet?
Explain why he/she was interesting.

Discussion

What topics do men and women usually discuss together?
Would you like to change the colour of your hair? Why?
Why do most people lack confidence when doing public presentations?

Cue Card

Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with You should say:

Who it is
What you do together
And explain why you spend the most time with this member of your family

Discussion

How many generations usually live together in your country?
Is it important to visit family members?
What are the values of family in your country?
Why is family bonding necessary for happiness in life?
Do you think the support from a friend is different from the support from a family member?
Who should be more responsible for educating the children in a family?
Do you think there are differences between the way men and women care for children?
Do your parents do household chores equally?

Cue Card

Describe an important journey that was delayed. You should say:

Why it was important
What caused the delay
What happened at the end
And explain how you felt about the delay

Discussion

How easy is it to travel around your country?
Which method of travel do you consider safest?
Has travel become safer in recent years?
What do you think people can learn by travelling to other countries?
What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?
How do you think people will travel in the future?

More Speaking Questions and Sample Answers

Cue Card (Part 2)

Describe a time you enjoyed. You should say:

where you were
who was with you
why you enjoyed it
what you were doing

USEFUL PHRASES / DEVICES

If my memory serves me well
I think it was around early 2000 we went down
funny memories
For example
gotten one over my uncle.
so much so
insanely
shivers

gotten one over someone – to beat someone (not physically), or take advantage of them…

So much so – this phrase indicates that your previous statement is true to a very great extent, and therefore it has the result mentioned.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer 1

I would like to talk about a time I went with my family to do some canoeing and cycling near Portsmouth, in the south of England. There were quite a lot of the family there at the time, my mum, my uncles, my grandma, my brother, my cousins, almost everyone. If my memory serves me well, I think it was around early 2000 we went down. I think enjoyed it because there were a lot of funny memories, we played a lot of pranks on each other. For example, I clearly remember pushing my uncle off his bike, I remember it because it was the first time I had ever gotten one over my uncle.

I was cycling very close to him, so much so, he ended up without any space on the track, and eventually came off the track and slipped down the banking. It made everyone laugh so much, because he usually bullied everyone else. Anyway, before cycling we went canoeing but for me the water was insanely cold, I think it was because I had just flew in from Spain where it’s much warmer.

Apart from the shivers I got, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day, especially the fish chips in the pub in the evening. And that’s my talk about an enjoyable day.

Part 3 idea: people spend their time.. etc . simple

Click here to listen to the full tutorial.

Cue Card (Part 2)

Describe any physical skill you learnt. You should say:

where you learnt it
why you learnt it
how long it took to learn

USEFUL PHRASES / DEVICES

tough
was taking the mickey
a good two years
if my memory serves me well
fitness, technique
spared
was taking the micky

A good two years – we use this figure of speech to emphasize the time taken.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer 2

I would like to tell you about the time I learnt how to box. I learnt this skill in Spain, and it was something I had always wanted to do, I think when I was younger my parents wouldn’t let me. And throughout school I was a little embarrassed to do something the other teenagers were not doing. Anyway, I learnt from a really tough coach.

This coach called me “peligro” which means danger in English. I think he was taking the mickey, because I was so bad when I started. It took me a good two years to learn it. I enjoyed every minute of it. The classes were hard, if my memory serves me well, we did a brutal 90 minutes every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a mixture of fitness, technique and in the final 5 minutes we spared.

However, I wouldn’t say I’ve learnt the skill because there is still a considerable amount left to learn. Eventually I’ll back into it though, I’m certain. And that’s my short presentation about a skill I learnt.

Brief anecdote to paint the picture: This coach called me “peligro” which means danger in English. I think he was taking the micky, because I was so bad when I started.

Click here to listen to the full tutorial.

Cue Card (Part 2)

Describe an advertisement that you saw. You should say:

describe the advertisement
where you saw it
why you remember it

USEFUL PHRASES / DEVICES

campaign
outrage advertising
If I remember correctly
prints
global brands
although
As you can imagine
press
exposure

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer 3

I’d like to talk about a very controversial advert I remember from when I was younger. It was an advert by the Benetton clothing company. I remember searching for this advert because I was impressed by the outrage the whole campaign had created. The news programmes reported it, the newspapers printed stories about it, it was outrage advertising at its most pervasive.

If I remember correctly, I found the advert in a book about the world’s best adverts, there were prints from Absolut vodka, Hamlet cigars, and a few other global brands. Anyway, this advert featured a nun and a priest kissing, I think that was the image, although I cannot remember the exact scene right now.

As you can imagine, this is a complete outrage in the Catholic religion, and so the Catholic church condemned the advert, which caused the press to report it, and ultimately giving more exposure to the company. So, that’s my talk about an advertisement I saw a long long time ago.

Click here to listen to the full tutorial.

Cue Card (Part 2)

Describe about your favourite song. You should say:

what you like about the song
who sings it
how you found the song

Click here to listen to the full tutorial.

If you need more resources to improve your IELTS Speaking, have a look at our Speaking tutorials.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the common speaking topics for IELTS?

Hometown
Work
Study
Personal experiences
Hobbies
Travel

VIDEO: IELTS Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

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