IELTS Speaking Test: Tips and Topics

2023 January to April IELTS Speaking Topics

IELTS Speaking is a shared module for both Academic and General Versions. The test is an oral interview of about 11-14 minutes with an examiner. Although the IELTS speaking test is a one-to-one interview, it follows some rules on both patterns and topics.

The examiners are responsible for guiding and controlling the interview somewhat in similar ways and questions. This video demonstrates a full IELTS speaking test. The candidate should be rated as band 8-9. It's an excellent example to show its patterns.



Below is a full-size mock test with new topics of January to April 2023.

IELTS Speaking Online Practice



IELTS speaking test is recorded for security purpose. The recording doesn't matter with your score, so don't be nervous or care about it.

IELTS speaking test patterns are published to all test takers, which are extremly essential to improve finial speaking score. More details of the test pattern are in

• Section 3: IELTS Speaking Test Samples
• Section 4: Speaking Assessment Criteria

It helps very much to familiarize IELTS speaking topics before your testing. We list these topics in 2 categories: topics occurred in current period and topics in 2021-2023. The former will show topics most active in the current period, but you just see the latest 10-15 questions if you aren't VIP. The latter is accessed by VIP users only.

In the actual speaking test scenario, Part 1 usually has 2 - 3 topics in a small talk style. However, Part 2 and Part 3 share the same topic, which helps to bring discussion as deep as possible.

We present topics respectively for Part 1 and Part 2/3. If you click a topic word, you can see a sample question sheet whose contents are from the test-takers' memories. These samples are a tremendous asset to understand the real IELTS speaking test.

At this page a topic just links to the latest sample question. For those who want to study deeper or get more linked questions, please go to   IELTS speaking questions , and use filter to locate your interested topics.

IELTS usually updates speaking test topics periodically, so studying recent topics helps very much. For example, we are currently hearing very similar topics in various countries, which are in IELTS Speaking Topic: January to April 2023.

Click topic to get sample questions 

Click topic to get sample questions 

In fact, topics or questions of IELTS speaking test aren't random. This test is done by one-on-one interviewing so that examiners usually update question scripts every 3-4 months. Therefore candidates often run into similar topics questioned in recent time.  

The latest topics are deserved to study and practice with high priority if you book the IELTS speaking test this or next month. We collect and formalize some hot topics from test-takers' memories. They aren't real exam questions but very close.  Don't miss these valuable resources that include new topics by Part 1 and part 2/3.

• IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions
• IELTS Speaking Part 2 and Part 3 Questions

Want to know new IELTS speaking topics and their mock questions? The samples are as below.

Latest Part 1 Question Sample    More New Part 1 Topics

Latest Part 2 and Part 3 Question Sample    More New Part 2/3 Topics

In addition to its topics and questions, you had better understand its assessment criteria to prepare for the IELTS speaking module. If you know the requirements very clearly, you will get a fair reward for your time and effort.

IELTS speaking test consists of 3 parts. The first two parts follow a question list picked up by the examiner, who would ask questions precisely by the question list. The problems of Part 3 may or may not be prompted to you, relying on your actual speaking skill in preceding questions.

Part 1: Introduction and interview: Candidate talks personal information, like at first meeting.

• 4-5 minutes
• Questions based on script, driven by examiner
• General topics, like home, family, or hobby

Part 2: Individual long turn: Candidate delivers a monologue of 1-2 minutes on the given subject.

• 3-4 minutes
• Based on the topic card, one minute to prepare notes
• monologue of 1-2 minutes

Part 3: Discussion: Candidate has a chance to answer more difficult questions.

• 4-5 minutes
• Questions are usually expanded from Part 2
• The maximum question number is 7, and the real amount depends on your proficiency level

The key points of high score are fluency, coherence, and pronunciation. Please focus on these details:

1. Express ideas clearly and coherently
2. Use vocabulary size and ability in the right way
3. Show grammar knowledge, range and accuracy
4. Use intonation and stress naturally, no matter with accent

Details of assessment criteria can be found at IELTS Official Web Site.

For those who want to up speaking score in a tight time frame, to familiarize recent topics and accumulate relevant vocabularies in advance will increase the chance to get a better band.