IELTS Speaking: Parts 1–3
An 11–14 minute chat with a real examiner — not a quiz. This guide walks through all three parts, what's marked, the topics that come up most, and how to keep talking with confidence.
- Interview
familiar topics · 4–5 min - Long turn
cue card · talk 1–2 min - Discussion
abstract ideas · 4–5 min
How IELTS Speaking works
You talk one-to-one with a certified examiner for 11–14 minutes across three parts. It's recorded, and it's identical for Academic and General Training. The aim is natural conversation — so relax and speak at length.
There are no "right answers". The examiner is listening to how you use English, not whether your opinion is correct — so say what's easiest to talk about fluently.
The three parts in detail
Part 1 — Introduction & interview (4–5 min)
The examiner checks your ID, then asks short questions on familiar topics — home, family, work or studies, hobbies, daily routine, food. Give answers of 2–3 sentences, not one word.
Part 2 — The long turn (3–4 min)
You get a cue card and 1 minute to prepare with notes, then speak for 1–2 minutes alone. Keep going until the examiner stops you; one or two follow-up questions come after.
Part 3 — Two-way discussion (4–5 min)
Deeper, more abstract questions connected to your Part 2 topic. Your chance to explain, compare, and justify opinions in longer answers.
Example Part 2 cue card
Describe a skill you would like to learn. You should say:
- what the skill is
- why you want to learn it
- how you would learn it
- and explain how it would help you
How to fill 2 minutes: use the bullet points as your structure (one mini-section each), add a short example or feeling for each, and finish with the "explain…" prompt. Use your prep minute to jot keywords, not full sentences.
How Speaking is marked (4 criteria)
Each criterion is worth 25%. Improve all four, not just fluency:
| Criterion | What examiners listen for |
|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | Speaking smoothly at length, with logical ideas and natural linking. |
| Lexical Resource | A range of vocabulary, including less common words and natural phrases. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | A mix of tenses and sentence types, used accurately. |
| Pronunciation | Clear, understandable speech with natural stress and intonation (accent is fine). |
Common topics by part
Part 1
- Work or studies
- Hometown & home
- Family & friends
- Hobbies & free time
- Food, weather, routine
Part 2 (describe…)
- A person you admire
- A place you visited
- An object you own
- An event or experience
- An activity you enjoy
Part 3
- Society & change
- Education
- Technology & AI
- Environment
- Work & the future
Topics rotate, but most repeat over time — preparing these themes covers the majority of questions. Build topic vocabulary →
6 tips to speak with confidence
Extend every answer
Add a reason or example — "Yes, because…" / "For instance…". Avoid one-word replies.
Don't memorise scripts
Examiners spot rehearsed answers and it lowers your score. Speak naturally instead.
Use natural fillers
"Well, let me think…" buys time far better than silence or "um".
Show a range of tenses
Talk about the past, present and future to display grammatical range.
Keep going in Part 2
If you finish early, add more detail or a related story — don't stop.
Pronounce clearly, not "perfectly"
Your accent is fine; focus on clear words, stress and intonation.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
What are the three parts?
How is Speaking marked?
Is it the same for Academic and General Training?
Practice out loud, every day.
Record yourself answering one cue card a day and listen back for fluency and range.
Format, timing and marking criteria are based on official British Council IELTS information. The cue card and topic lists are original examples of common types. Always confirm details with your test centre.