Speaking practice prompts for IELTS

1. Speaking

2. FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION
1. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?
2. What do you do to help you concentrate?
3. What may distract you when you’re trying to stay focused?
4. When do you need to be focused?

3. GETTING LOST
1. Have you ever lost your way?
2. How can you find your way when you are lost?
3. Can you read a map when you get lost?
4. Have you ever helped someone who got lost?

4. HANDWRITING
1. Do you like handwriting?
2. Do you think handwriting is important?
3. Which do you prefer, handwriting or typing?
4. What are the differences between handwriting and typing?

5. HEADPHONES
1. Do you use headphones?
2. What types of headphones do you use?
3. When would you use headphones?
4. In what conditions won’t you use headphones?

6. Gender Wage Gap

7. Barbecue
1. Do Chinese people like barbecue?
2. What kind of food do you like to eat for barbecue?
3. Would you like to have barbecue with your family or your
friends?
4. Did you have barbecue when you were a child?

8. Car trip
1. Do you like to travel by car?
2. When do you travel by car?
3. Where is the farthest place you have traveled to by car?
4. Do you like to sit in the front or back when traveling by car?

9. Sky and stars
1. Do you like to look at the sky? Why?
2. Can you see the moon and stars at night where you live?
3. Do you prefer the sky in the morning or the sky at night?
4. Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?
5. Do you like to see the stars at night?
6. Do you want to live on other planets?

10. Festival
1. How do you celebrate festivals in your country?
2. What special food and activities do you have for these
festivals?
3. How do you celebrate Spring Festival?
4. What is your favourite festival?

11. Wild Animals
1. Do you like to watch TV programs about wild
animals?
2. Did you learn something about wild animals at
school?
3. Where can you see wild animals?
4. In which country do you think you can see many wild
animals?

12. Flowers
1. What kinds of flowers do you know?
2. Are there any flowers that have special
meaning in China?
3. Have you planted any flowers?
4. Have you sent flowers to anyone?
Wedding Graduation
Funeral Newborn

13. Special Costumes
1. Do you like to wear special costumes?
2. Did you try any special costumes when you
were young?
3. When was your last time to wear special
costumes?
4. Do you ever buy special costumes?

15. Science
1. Do you like science?
2. When did you start to learn about
science?
3. Which science subject is interesting to
you?
4. What kinds of interesting things have you
done with science?

16. Pets and animals
1. What’s your favorite animal? Why?
2. What is the most popular animal in
China?
3. Have you ever had a pet before?
4. Where do you prefer to keep your
pet, indoors or outdoors?

17. Describe a place you
visited on vacation.
You should say:
- Where it is
- When you went there
- What you did there
- Why you went there

18. Describe a quiet place you
like to spend your time in.
You should say:
- Where it is
- How you know it
- How often you go there
- Why you like the place
It is important to spend time in quiet places in the fast-paced life
of today. There are a few quiet places around us that we can visit
for a few relaxing moments of peace. I would like to talk about a
park where I go quite often and I find great comfort in the silence
the spot has to offer.
The park is not far from my home. It is only a 10-minute walk from
my home. It is well-known for its peaceful ambiance. Being a
nature lover, I really enjoy being surrounded by the plant-life
there.
Every morning I go for a morning walk in the garden and I also do
some physical activities. Also, as I have an ardent habit of writing,
the area somehow enhances my creativity to the point where
thoughts flow freely and clearly in my mind. I really like going to
this location with my writing pad all alone, and write whatever I
feel like for hours on end.
I adore the place for some other specific reasons. The park is one
of the most impressive sites in the state. The golf course is
adorable and boating is another interesting activity here. the park
contains some other amenities like clean and well-managed
toilets, and the space for kids is also notable. A large number of
trees are available in the park and anyone can take shelter under
the tree shades.
I would recommend anyone from my area to have some quality
and tranquil time in this park. There is a lot to explore and enjoy.

19. Being Happy
1. Is there anything that makes you feel
happy lately?
2. What do you do to stay happy?
3. Can you stay happy all the time?
4. Is it important to be happy?

20. Environmental Protection
1. Would you like to work in a company
related to environmental protection?
2. How can we protect the environment?
3.Do you think you’ve done enough to
protect the environment?
4. Is there education about environmental
protection at school?

21. Describe a movie/TV programme that
you like.
You should say:
1. Where you watched it
2. When you watched it
3. What was it about
4. Explain why you like it

26. Museums
1. Do you think museums are
important?
2. Are there many museums in your
hometown?
3. Do you often visit a museum?
4. When was the last time you
visited a museum?
1
2

27. Window View
1. What scenery can you see from the window of
your home/dormitory?
2. Do you like to watch the scenery from your
window?
3. Do you want to live in a house with beautiful
window views?
4. How do you feel when you can’t see any
beautiful view from window?

28. Describe a thing that you bought and felt
pleased about
You should say:
1. What you bought
2. Where you bought it
3. What it is for
4. And explain why you felt pleased about it

29. Describe a toy you liked in your
childhood
You should say:
1. What kind of toy it is
2. When you received it
3. How you played with it
4. And how you felt about it

30. Hometown
1. Is it a big city or a small place?
2. Is there anything you dislike about it?
3. What do you like (most) about your
hometown?
4. Do you like living there?
5. Do you like your hometown?
6. How long have you been living there?
7. Please describe your hometown a
little.
8. Do you think you will continue living
there for a long time?

32. The Area You Live In
1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?
2. Do you like the area that you live in? Why or
why not?
3. What are some changes in the area recently?
4. Do you know any famous people in your area?
5. Where do you like to go in that area?

33. Environmental Protection
1. Would you like to work in a company
related to environmental protection?
2. How can we protect the environment?
3.Do you think you’ve done enough to
protect the environment?
4. Is there education about environmental
protection at school?

36. Describe a time you saw something
interesting on social media
You should say:
1. When it was
2. Where you saw it
3. What you saw
4. And explain why you think it was
interesting

37. Describe an occasion when many
people were smiling
You should say:
1. When it happened
2. Who you were with
3. What happened
4. And explain why many people
were smiling

39. Influencer
Streamer

40. 1. What can people do
on social media?
2. Do you think older people and
younger people use the same
kinds of social media?
3. Do older people spend much
time on social media?
4. Are non-social media like
newspapers and television still
useful?
Part 3

43. 1. How do people make friends in China?
2. On what occasions do people like to make friends?
3. Is it important to have the same hobbies and
interests when making friends?
4. What qualities make true friends?
Part 3

45. Music Streaming – using an app or paid
subscription service (i.e. Apple Music) to
listen to music.
- I used to download all of my music, but
now I stream it using Spotify.

48. PART 3 – Famous People
1.What type of people are famous in your
country?
2. How do people become famous
nowadays?
3. What is the difference between people
who were famous earlier and who are
famous now?
4. What qualities do famous people have
in common?

49. PART 3 – Famous People
1.What type of people are famous in
your country?
2. How do people become famous
nowadays?
3. What is the difference between
people who were famous earlier and
who are famous now?
4. What qualities do famous people
have in common?
Word Definition
Reputation (noun)
The beliefs or opinions that are held about someone or
something. (having a good/bad reputation)
Becoming famous
overnight (phrase)
Ex. With the rise of social media, it is much easier to
become famous overnight.
Admirable (Adj.) Arousing or deserving respect and approval
Aptitude (noun) A natural ability to do something
Well-respected (adj.) Highly regarded or admired.
Big break (phrase)
A breakthrough; the first big hit of a performer, the
point of becoming famous
Claim to Fame
(phrase)
Something that someone or something is famous for.
Go viral
Spreads quickly and widely on the internet and social
media

50. Word Definition
Affordable destinations
/ travel
Places / travel within a reasonable price range (not expensive)
Exotic destinations Unusual or strange holiday destinations
Magnificent landscapes Impressive scenery
Memorable experiences Activities that you will remember for years
Spectacular beaches Impressive sandy shorelines
Quaint villages Old fashioned or charming small towns
Swarming with tourists
/ A Tourist Trap
Full of visitors; extremely crowded

52. Advantages of Trains:
• Roomier than planes; not as cramped.
• Provide service to small as well as large towns and cities.
• Provide service to city centers and suburbs, depending on train type.
• Allow closer and better viewing of scenery.
• Provide more and better options for food and drink.
• There are places you can walk to on the train besides a restroom.
• Can be overall faster than planes over short to medium distances.
• Provide an education on the land you are passing through.
Advantage of planes:
• Usually faster than trains.
• Usually have more frequencies than trains.
• Slightly safer than trains.
• Rental cars usually easier to obtain at airports than
at train stations.

53. Part 2
Describe a tall
building in your city
that you like/dislike.
You should say:
1. Where it is
2. What it is used for
3. What does it look like
4. Why you like / dislike it
Tower / Skyscraper Pagoda
Word Meaning Example
Elegant graceful and stylish in
appearance
Amira loved the elegant lines of the
building’s façade.
Stunning extremely impressive or
attractive
The new library building looked
absolutely stunning when finished.
Ornate covered with a lot of
decoration, especially
complicated designs
It’s common for grand manor houses
to have ornate ceilings.
Geometric patterns or shapes
consisting of regular
shapes or lines
Many styles of architecture
incorporate geometric designs both
for strength as well for decoration.
Eyesore a building that is not
attractive
There’s an old tower in the center of
town that is a total eyesore.
Monstrosity a thing which is very
large and unsightly
The shopping centre in our town is a
total monstrosity and I wish they’d
demolish it.

54. Word Meaning Example
High-priced / pricey expensive Apartments in District 2 are really high-priced, which is
why there are many wealthy people living there.
Eye-catching Very attractive or noticeable The design of this dress is very eye-catching.
Landmark a building or place that is easily recognized The Statue of Liberty in New York is a famous landmark.
Skyscraper a very tall modern building, usually in a
city
Building a skyscraper can take years to complete.
Architecture The practise of designing buildings; the
style in which buildings are made
My favourite style of architecture is Georgian because it
is bold and beautiful but not too ornate.
Feature a distinctive attribute or aspect of
something
he best feature of the new church in our town is the
stunning, modern spire.
Public building a building owned by the state or local
government and used by the public, e.g.
townhall, library, museum, leisure centre
Many public buildings are quite old and cost a lot of
money to maintain
Commercial
building
buildings that are used
for commercial purposes, such as, office
blocks, shops and warehouses
Most of my architect friends design houses but I much
prefer working on commercial buildings.
Monument a statue, building, or other structure
erected to commemorate a notable person
or event, often of historical importance
India gate is one of the most recognisable monuments in
India.

57. Word /
Phrase
Meaning Example
increasingly
popular
more and more
common
Computer games have
become increasingly popular
an age of
mobile
devices
people using
smartphones
We live in an age of mobile
devices, with almost everyone
owning a smartphone.
educational
value
importance of
education
Some people claim there
is educational value in video
games.
gamer person who
plays games
My brother is a casual gamer.
He doesn’t often play games,
and if he does play, it’s only on
his phone.