IELTS Speaking Part 3: domande e come rispondere

Cosa succede nella Part 3

La Part 3 arriva subito dopo il tuo discorso di due minuti e dura circa quattro-cinque minuti. Le domande nascono dall’argomento della Part 2 ma si allontanano dalla tua esperienza personale: se la tua cue card parlava di un insegnante che ti ha aiutato, nella Part 3 ti chiederanno cosa rende bravo un insegnante o se la tecnologia sostituirà gli insegnanti.

Rispetto alla Part 1 cambiano tre cose:

• Le domande sono astratte. Parli delle persone in generale, della società, del passato e del futuro, non di te.
• Ci si aspettano risposte più lunghe. Da tre a cinque frasi è una buona lunghezza; le risposte di una riga non danno all’esaminatore niente da valutare.
• L’esaminatore può incalzarti. Domande come Why do you think that is? o Is that always true? non significano che hai sbagliato: verificano se sai sviluppare e difendere un’idea.

Siccome le domande sono più difficili, è qui che la differenza tra Band 6 e Band 7 si vede di più: riesci a costruire un ragionamento in tempo reale, con grammatica e lessico vari, senza perdere il filo?

Una struttura di risposta in quattro passi

Una struttura semplice ti evita di divagare o di fermarti troppo presto. Non è un copione, è una direzione:

1. Risposta: di’ la tua opinione nella prima frase.
2. Motivo: spiega perché.
3. Esempio: rendilo concreto — il tuo paese, una situazione tipica, qualcosa che hai visto.
4. Sfumatura o conseguenza: aggiungi l’altro lato, una condizione (it depends on…) o un risultato.

Ecco come suona con 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.

Circa 75 parole, una trentina di secondi di parlato: abbastanza per mostrare varietà, abbastanza breve per far andare avanti la conversazione.

Sei tipi di domanda e come affrontarli

Linguaggio utile per la Part 3

Queste espressioni danno varietà senza sembrare imparate a memoria, perché sono strutture, non risposte pronte:

• Dare un’opinione: I'd say…, As far as I can tell…, I'm fairly convinced that…
• Attenuare: To some extent…, It depends on…, That's not always the case.
• Generalizzare: On the whole…, Generally speaking…, In most cases…
• Fare esempi: Take… for instance., A good example is…
• Confrontare passato e presente: Compared with my parents' generation…, These days, whereas in the past…
• Fare ipotesi: I imagine…, It's likely that…, I wouldn't be surprised if…
• Prendere tempo con naturalezza: That's an interesting question — I haven't thought about it much, but…

Usane una o due per risposta, non cinque. L’esaminatore premia il linguaggio che calza, non un elenco di connettivi.

Errori che costano punti

• Parlare di te. Why do people enjoy travelling? riguarda le persone in generale; un aneddoto personale può essere un esempio, non tutta la risposta.
• Fermarti dopo una frase. L’esaminatore deve chiedere Why? ogni volta, e la tua fluidità ne risente.
• Non prendere posizione. Dire solo Both have advantages è una fuga. Soppesa e concludi.
• Blocchi imparati a memoria. I paragrafi preparati raramente si adattano alla domanda esatta, e il cambio di ritmo si sente.
• Restare muto davanti a una domanda difficile. Dire I've never really thought about that, but… e ragionare ad alta voce è molto meglio di un lungo silenzio.

180 domande della Part 3 per argomento

Ecco le domande della Part 3 dalla banca d’esame di TalkSmart, raggruppate in base alla cue card della Part 2 a cui seguono — esattamente come compaiono all’esame. Ogni titolo di card porta alla sua pagina, con una risposta modello di Band 7–8 e risposte modello alle sue domande della Part 3 (in inglese).

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?

Esercitarsi ad alta voce

La Part 3 migliora solo parlando sotto pressione di tempo: leggere risposte modello ti fa vedere la struttura, ma il ragionamento va costruito dal vivo. Una routine che funziona:

1. Scegli un gruppo di domande qui sopra e rispondi alle quattro ad alta voce con la struttura in quattro passi.
2. Registrati e controlla due cose: ogni risposta aveva un motivo e un esempio? Quante volte ti sei fermato a metà frase?
3. Rispondi alle stesse domande due giorni dopo, provando ogni volta un’espressione nuova della lista.

La simulazione di IELTS Speaking di TalkSmart ripercorre l’intera sequenza: Part 1, una cue card con un minuto di preparazione, poi domande della Part 3 legate a quella card, poste una alla volta da un esaminatore IA. Il report stima la tua band sui quattro criteri. Funziona nel browser e la tua prima sessione di conversazione è gratuita.

Fai una simulazione completa con la Part 3 →

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