IELTS Compass
Preparing your study plan
IELTS Compass
Preparing your study plan
IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test draws from a stable pool of topics that rotate each year. These are the most common 2026 themes for Part 1, Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 discussion — with sample answers you can adapt.
Part 1 is a warm-up: short questions about your life. Answers should be 2–3 sentences — a direct answer, a reason, and a detail. Examiners test fluency here, not depth.
| Topic | Typical questions |
|---|---|
| Work & studies | Your job, your course, why you chose it, your daily routine |
| Home & hometown | Where you live, your neighbourhood, transport, weather |
| Hobbies & free time | Reading, sports, music, films, gaming, cooking |
| Technology | Phone use, social media, online shopping, AI tools |
| Food & health | Favourite meals, cooking habits, exercise, sleep |
| Travel & holidays | Recent trips, dream destinations, travel style |
Sample answer
Q: Do you enjoy using technology in your daily life? A: Absolutely — I use my phone for almost everything, from banking to language learning. I think it saves me hours every week, although I do try to switch off in the evenings.
You get one minute to prepare a 1–2 minute talk on a cue card. Structure your answer with the ARE method: Answer the prompt, give a Reason, and add an Example for each bullet point.
| Cue card type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Describe a person | A friend you admire · a teacher who influenced you · a family member you're close to |
| Describe a place | A city you enjoyed visiting · your favourite room · a place near water |
| Describe an object | A piece of technology you use daily · a gift you received · something you bought recently |
| Describe an experience | A memorable journey · a time you helped someone · a difficult decision you made |
| Describe a habit | A healthy habit you have · something you do to relax · a skill you're learning |
Sample cue card answer
Describe a healthy habit you have. I'd like to talk about my habit of running every morning. I started about two years ago, mainly because I was sitting at a desk all day. The reason it stuck is that I made it non-negotiable — same time, same route, no excuses. For example, even on holiday I find a park nearby and run for thirty minutes. It's become the part of my day I look forward to most.
Part 3 moves to abstract, society-level questions. Examiners reward longer, structured answers: Answer → Reason → Example → Result. Aim for 4–5 sentences and don't be afraid to give a balanced view.
| Theme | Typical questions |
|---|---|
| Education | Should schools teach practical skills? How has technology changed learning? |
| Technology & society | Is social media making people more or less connected? Will AI replace jobs? |
| Environment | Who should pay for environmental damage? Can individuals make a difference? |
| Work & careers | Is job satisfaction more important than salary? How will work change in the future? |
| Cities & housing | Why are cities growing? What makes a city liveable? |
The 2026 twist: AI and automation
Examiners are increasingly asking about artificial intelligence, remote work and digital wellbeing. Prepare one opinion and one example for each — e.g. "AI will change jobs, but it will create new ones too, as it did with the internet."
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