IELTS Speaking Test: Topics & Questions 2024

Before dreaming about studying abroad a student must acknowledge that there is a test known as IELTS, which is basically an assessment to understand a student's confidence and ability to communicate in the native language of that country. The IELTS test consists of 4 major sub-tests called listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Amongst them the speaking test turns out to be challenging for many international students as it examines the student’s fluency and vocabulary. And just because of this students lose their hope, so if you are preparing for the IELTS test it is important for you to know what type of questions and topics you may end up with while conducting your assessment. There may be a few variations in the questions but the core of the questions can have the same understanding and meaning.

In this blog, we will provide you with the IELTS speaking topics and questions that are likely to be encountered in the speaking test in 2024, helping students in gaining valuable insight and strategies to excel.

Recognising the IELTS Speaking Exam

The Ielts speaking test consists of three main parts. On the basis of these three parts candidates’ speaking skills such as coherence, fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation is evaluated. The scores of the test are recorded in whole and half bands.

A candidate whether a student or a professional must ensure that they don't fake their accent and use simple but clear ways to communicate with the examiner. All they want is to see how well you can:

1. Communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences.
2. Speak at length on a given topic using appropriate language.
3. Organise your ideas coherently
4. Express and justify your opinions
5. Analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

The three divisions of IELTS speaking exam

Make sure that before the assessment begins you greet your examiner or the instructor who is taking your assessment. This creates a good impression on the examiner, they retain this behaviour of yours and adds in achieving good bands in the test. This is not counted as a part of the speaking test format but is a very basic idea whenever you enter a new atmosphere.

Let us peep into the three parts of IELTS:

Part - 1 Personal Introduction and Interview

The very beginning of the assessment is the introduction part. The interviewer will introduce themselves and ask you about your name or might ask you to give an introduction about yourself. The questions asked during part 1 are comparatively easier than the other two parts as these revolve around your life.

Here are some basic ielts speaking test sample questions that can be asked during the test:

Can you tell me your full name, please?
What should I call you?
Can you show me your identification, such as a passport or ID card?
Where are you from?
Do you work or are you a student?
What do you do for a living/study?
Do you enjoy your work/studies? Why or why not?
Can you describe your hometown or where you currently live?
What do you like most about your hometown/current city?
Do you prefer living in a city or in the countryside? Why?
Can you tell me about your family?
Do you have any siblings? If so, how many?
What are your hobbies or interests?
How do you usually spend your weekends?
Do you prefer to spend time alone or with friends/family?

These questions are designed to be simple so that the candidate gets comfortable before moving on to the next stage of the assessment. It's crucial to respond confidently and provide detailed answers to showcase language proficiency.

Part - 2 Individual Long Run

After conducting part - 1, you will without any break jump into part - 2 of the examination. In this the instructor will choose and give you a topic on a card known as Candidate task card, wherein you will get a total of a minute to prepare on the topic and collect your ideas to speak on the same topic for at least 2 minutes or more. The topics given are random and can not be predicted, but they usually encounter the general aspect of life. You will be given a pen and a paper to make notes.

Here are examples of the Ielts speaking topics:

Describe a memorable holiday you have had.
Talk about a historical place you have visited.
Describe a person who has had a significant impact on your life.
Discuss a book or movie that you found particularly interesting.
Describe an important decision you had to make in your life.
Talk about a hobby or activity you enjoy in your free time.
Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.
Discuss an event from your childhood that you still remember.
Describe a recent achievement you are proud of.
Talk about a recent technological advancement that has caught your attention.
These topics are designed to prompt the candidate to speak at length, providing details, examples, and personal insights within the allotted time frame. The assessment doesn’t end here as there are questions which an examiner can ask around the topic which he/she assigned to you.
For instance, if you have been asked to speak on the topic “Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.” then the questions that can be asked around this are:
Can you describe any specific attractions or landmarks in this place that you are particularly excited about?
How do you think visiting this place would enrich your personal experiences or broaden your perspectives?

Part - 3 Discussion Questions

This part of the assessment is a discussion between the examiner and the candidate based on the topics allotted to them in part - 2. If the examiner has asked questions in the previous part itself then they will continue by asking general questions or irrelevant questions to the topic. These are normally on abstract IELTS Speaking questions, and resemble the kind of ‘academic’ questions you might get asked in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Topics related to societal issues, education, technology, and the environment can be taken into consideration during this part of the test, as it is comparatively tougher than the other two. Engaging in meaningful discussions and providing well-rounded responses demonstrates higher-level language skills.

Here is an example of discussion questions which can be formulated as per the topics or situation of the candidate:

What do you think are the benefits of travelling to new places?
In what ways do you think visiting different countries can contribute to one's personal growth?
How important do you think it is for people to learn about the culture and customs of a country before visiting?
Do you believe that international travel has become more accessible in recent years? Why or why not?
Some people argue that travelling abroad can have negative impacts on local cultures and environments. What is your opinion on this?
How do you think technology has changed the way people travel compared to in the past?
Do you think it's better to travel alone or with a group of people? Why?
What advice would you give to someone who is planning their first international trip?
How can governments encourage tourism while also preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of their countries?
In your opinion, what are the most important factors to consider when planning a trip to a new destination?

IELTS speaking tips

Here are few short IELTS speaking tips which students must consider before approaching the test:

Practice speaking in English in front of the mirror regularly; this way you can improve fluency and confidence.
Familiarise yourself with common topics and questions asked in the speaking test.
Work on pronunciation and intonation to sound clear and natural, make sure that you don’t fake your accent.
Use a variety of vocabulary for ielts speaking and sentence structures to showcase your language skills, but do it only if you feel confident about your abilities.
Stay calm and composed during the test, and take your time to think before answering.
Listen carefully to the examiner's questions and answer them directly.
Provide detailed and relevant answers, supporting them with examples whenever possible.
Don't worry about making small mistakes; focus on communicating your ideas effectively.
Practice speaking within the given time limits to ensure you cover all aspects of each question.
Finally, remember to smile and maintain good eye contact with the examiner to create a positive impression.

These are a few of the basic and simple tips to follow while approaching for your IELTS speaking test. You can take help of online tutors or online classes to gain a perception about the IELTS test.

Conclusion

Mastering the IELTS Speaking Test requires diligent preparation, familiarity with the test format, and confidence in one's language abilities. Seeking an outlook of the assessment, students or the candidate feel a little relaxed and proceed towards practising for the same. By understanding the topics and questions likely to be encountered in 2024 and implementing effective preparation strategies, test-takers can approach the speaking test with confidence and increase their chances of achieving their desired scores. For further preparation, test-takers can explore reputable websites, books, language learning apps, and courses tailored for IELTS candidates. Practice materials and mock tests are invaluable tools for honing speaking skills and improving overall performance on test day. Additionally, individuals seeking comprehensive support and guidance can leverage the specialized services provided by Oz Assignments. Gear up for success in the IELTS Speaking Test today!