IELTS Speaking Part 3: questions and how to answer them

What happens in Part 3

Part 3 follows straight after your two-minute talk and lasts about four to five minutes. The questions grow out of the Part 2 topic but move away from your personal experience: if your cue card was about a teacher who helped you, Part 3 asks what makes a good teacher, or whether technology will replace teachers.

Three things change compared with Part 1:

• The questions are abstract. You talk about people in general, society, the past and the future — not about yourself.
• Longer answers are expected. Three to five sentences is a good length; one-line answers give the examiner nothing to assess.
• The examiner may push back. Follow-ups like Why do you think that is? or Is that always true? are not a sign of a wrong answer — they test whether you can develop and defend an idea.

Because the questions are harder, this is where the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 shows most clearly: can you organise an argument in real time, with a range of grammar and vocabulary, without losing the thread?

A four-step answer structure

A simple structure keeps you from rambling or stopping too early. It is not a script — it is a direction to move in:

1. Answer: give your view in the first sentence.
2. Reason: explain why.
3. Example: make it concrete — your country, a typical situation, something you have seen.
4. Balance or result: add the other side, a condition (it depends on…) or a consequence.

Here is how it sounds for Do you think people read less than they used to?

(Answer) I'd say people read just as much, but they read differently. (Reason) Most of what we read now is short — messages, posts, headlines — so the habit of concentrating on one long text is what's really declining. (Example) In my country you see people reading on their phones on every bus, but very few with an actual book. (Balance) That said, audiobooks have brought a lot of people back to longer stories, so it's not all bad news.

About 75 words, roughly 30 seconds of speaking: long enough to show range, short enough to keep the conversation moving.

Six question types and how to handle them

Useful language for Part 3

These phrases add range without sounding memorised, because they are frames, not ready-made answers:

• Giving a view: I'd say…, As far as I can tell…, I'm fairly convinced that…
• Softening: To some extent…, It depends on…, That's not always the case.
• Generalising: On the whole…, Generally speaking…, In most cases…
• Examples: Take… for instance., A good example is…
• Comparing past and present: Compared with my parents' generation…, These days, whereas in the past…
• Speculating: I imagine…, It's likely that…, I wouldn't be surprised if…
• Buying time naturally: That's an interesting question — I haven't thought about it much, but…

Use one or two per answer, not five. The examiner rewards language that fits, not a list of connectors.

Mistakes that cost marks

• Answering about yourself. Why do people enjoy travelling? is about people in general; a personal story can be an example, not the whole answer.
• Stopping after one sentence. The examiner has to ask Why? every time, and your fluency score suffers.
• Refusing to take a side. Both have advantages on its own is an escape. Weigh them and conclude.
• Memorised blocks. Prepared paragraphs rarely fit the exact question, and the change in rhythm is easy to hear.
• Going silent on a hard question. Saying I've never really thought about that, but… and reasoning out loud is far better than a long pause.

180 Part 3 questions by topic

Below are the Part 3 questions from TalkSmart's exam bank, grouped by the Part 2 cue card they follow — exactly how they appear in the test. Each card title links to its own page with a Band 7–8 sample answer and model answers to its Part 3 questions.

Describe a person who has influenced you

• What qualities make someone a good role model?
• Do you think celebrities influence young people too much?
• How has the idea of a role model changed over generations?
• Should schools teach students about historical role models?

Describe a skill you learned as an adult

• Is it harder to learn new things as you get older?
• Should employers pay for staff training?
• Which skills will be most valuable in the future?
• Do you think online learning is as effective as classroom learning?

Describe a journey you remember well

• Why do people enjoy travelling to other countries?
• How has tourism changed your country?
• Is air travel too cheap given its environmental cost?
• Will virtual reality ever replace real travel?

Describe a website or app you find useful

• How has the internet changed the way people find information?
• Should there be more regulation of social media?
• Do you think people trust online information too easily?
• What are the risks of relying on apps for everyday tasks?

Describe an important decision you made

• Do people make better decisions alone or in groups?
• Should young people make their own career decisions?
• How do you think emotions affect decision-making?
• Is having too many choices a problem?

Describe a place where you like to relax

• Why do people find it difficult to relax these days?
• Are cities designed well for relaxation?
• How important are public parks?
• Do you think working hours should be shorter?

Describe a book or film that made an impression on you

• Do people read less than they used to?
• Can films teach us as much as books?
• Should governments fund the arts?
• How does storytelling shape a culture?

Describe a time someone helped you

• Are people in your country willing to help strangers?
• Should schools require students to do volunteer work?
• Is it the government or individuals who should help those in need?
• Has city life made people less helpful?

Describe a goal you achieved

• Why do some people give up on their goals?
• Is success mostly about hard work or luck?
• How do you think society defines success?
• Should children be taught to set goals?

Describe a piece of news you found interesting

• How do people usually get news in your country?
• Is traditional journalism still important?
• Should news be free for everyone?
• How can people tell real news from fake news?

Describe an old object your family has kept

• Why do people keep old things?
• Should governments protect historical buildings?
• Is it important for young people to learn about the past?
• Do museums still matter in the digital age?

Describe a time when you were very busy

• Why do people feel busier than in the past?
• How can people manage their time better?
• Should companies allow flexible working hours?
• Is being busy a sign of success?

Describe a meal you enjoyed

• How have eating habits changed in your country?
• Is fast food a serious problem?
• Should schools teach cooking?
• Do family meals still bring people together?

Describe an interesting conversation you had

• Are people losing the ability to have deep conversations?
• How has messaging changed communication?
• Should schools teach communication skills?
• Is it harder to disagree politely these days?

Describe a city you would like to visit

• What makes a city a good place to live?
• Should governments limit tourism in popular cities?
• How will cities change in the next fifty years?
• Is urbanisation good for a country?

Describe a time you worked with a team

• What makes a team work well together?
• Are some tasks better done alone?
• Should schools grade group work?
• How has remote work changed teamwork?

Describe something expensive you bought

• Do people spend money more carelessly than in the past?
• Should children be taught how to manage money?
• Is advertising too persuasive?
• Does owning more things make people happier?

Describe a natural place you have visited

• How can countries protect natural areas?
• Is economic growth compatible with protecting nature?
• Should there be limits on visitors to natural sites?
• Do children today spend enough time outdoors?

Describe a change that improved your life

• Why do people find change difficult?
• Are large life changes better made when young?
• How do societies adapt to rapid change?
• Should governments help people whose jobs disappear?

Describe a job you would like to do

• Which jobs are most respected in your country?
• Should salary be the main reason for choosing a job?
• How will automation change employment?
• Is job security still realistic?

Describe an older person you admire

• What can young people learn from older generations?
• Are older people respected enough in your country?
• Should people be encouraged to work past retirement age?
• How has the role of grandparents changed?

Describe a friend you have known for a long time

• Is it easier to make friends as a child or as an adult?
• Can online friendships be as strong as real-life ones?
• Why do some friendships end?
• Do people have fewer close friends than in the past?

Describe a teacher who helped you

• What makes a good teacher?
• Should teachers be paid more?
• Will technology ever replace teachers?
• Is it better for students to have strict or relaxed teachers?

Describe a person who is very good at their job

• Is talent or hard work more important in a career?
• Should people be paid according to how well they do their job?
• Why do some people stay in the same job for their whole life?
• How can employers keep their best workers?

Describe a person you know who speaks a foreign language well

• At what age should children start learning a foreign language?
• Is it necessary to live abroad to speak a language well?
• Will translation apps make language learning unnecessary?
• Why is English so widely spoken?

Describe a building you find interesting

• Should new buildings match the style of old ones?
• Who should decide what a city looks like?
• Are modern buildings less attractive than old ones?
• How important is it to preserve historic architecture?

Describe a place in your town or city that has changed

• What are the main causes of change in cities?
• Should local people have a say in development projects?
• Is it better to live in the city centre or the suburbs?
• How can cities grow without losing their character?

Describe a café or restaurant you often go to

• Why do people eat out more than in the past?
• Are cafés important places for a community?
• Should restaurants be required to show calorie information?
• How has food delivery changed eating habits?

Describe a crowded place you have been to

• Why do some people enjoy crowded places?
• How can cities reduce overcrowding?
• Is public transport the answer to traffic problems?
• Will people live in more crowded cities in the future?

Describe a gift you gave to someone

• Is it better to give money or a gift?
• Why do people spend so much on gifts at festivals?
• Do expensive gifts mean more than cheap ones?
• How has online shopping changed gift giving?

Describe a photograph you like

• Why do people take so many photos nowadays?
• Are printed photos still important?
• Should people be allowed to take photos of strangers?
• Do photos help us remember or make us forget?

Describe something you would like to own in the future

• Why do people want things they do not need?
• Is it better to rent or to own things?
• How does advertising create desire?
• Are young people more materialistic than older people?

Describe a time you were late for something important

• Is punctuality equally important in all cultures?
• Should employees be punished for being late?
• Why do some people always arrive late?
• Has technology made people more or less punctual?

Describe a celebration you enjoyed

• Why are traditional celebrations important?
• Have festivals become too commercial?
• Do young people care about traditions as much as older people?
• Should public holidays be based on religious or national events?

Describe a time you changed your mind about something

• Is changing your mind a sign of weakness or strength?
• Why do people find it hard to accept new ideas?
• Can social media change people's opinions?
• Should politicians be criticised for changing their views?

Describe a piece of good advice you received

• Who do young people usually ask for advice?
• Is advice from professionals better than advice from friends?
• Why do people sometimes ignore good advice?
• Should people trust advice they find online?

Describe a time you taught someone something

• What skills should parents teach their children?
• Is it easier to learn from a friend or a professional?
• Should older people learn new technology from younger people?
• What makes something easy or hard to teach?

Describe a sport you enjoy watching or playing

• Why are some sports more popular than others?
• Are professional athletes paid too much?
• Should schools make sport compulsory?
• Do big sporting events benefit the host country?

Describe an outdoor activity you did for the first time

• Why do many people prefer indoor activities today?
• Should dangerous outdoor sports be banned?
• How can parents encourage children to go outside?
• Does the weather affect how active people are?

Describe a hobby you would like to take up

• Why is it important to have hobbies?
• Do people have less free time than in the past?
• Should hobbies be turned into a way of earning money?
• Are expensive hobbies only for the rich?

Describe a healthy habit you have

• Why do people find it hard to change unhealthy habits?
• Should governments tax unhealthy food?
• Is health mainly a personal or a public responsibility?
• How has technology affected people's health?

Describe an advertisement you remember

• Should advertising aimed at children be banned?
• Do people trust adverts less than before?
• How has online advertising changed shopping?
• Is advertising a form of art?

Describe a song or piece of music that is special to you

• Why do different generations like different music?
• Should music be a compulsory school subject?
• Can music bring people from different cultures together?
• Has streaming changed the value of music?

Describe a subject you enjoyed at school

• Which school subjects are most useful in adult life?
• Should students choose their own subjects from an early age?
• Are practical subjects as important as academic ones?
• How should schools prepare students for work?

Describe your first day at a new school or job

• Why are first days often stressful?
• How can companies help new employees settle in?
• Is it good for people to change jobs often?
• What makes a workplace friendly?

Practising Part 3 out loud

Part 3 skills only grow with speaking under time pressure: reading model answers helps you see the structure, but you still need to build arguments live. A routine that works:

1. Pick one cue card group above and answer its four questions out loud with the four-step structure.
2. Record yourself and check two things: did each answer have a reason and an example, and how many times did you stop mid-sentence?
3. Answer the same questions again two days later, trying one new phrase from the language list each time.

TalkSmart's IELTS Speaking mock test runs the full sequence: Part 1, a cue card with one minute of preparation, then Part 3 questions linked to that card, asked one at a time by an AI examiner. The report estimates your band on the four criteria. It works in the browser, and your first speaking session is free.

Try a full mock test with Part 3 →

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