The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts.
In previous posts, we discussed Part 1 and Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test. In today’s discussion, we will cover the third and final part—IELTS Speaking Part 3.
The table below summarizes the three parts of the IELTS Speaking test.
| Part | Description | Time | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Introduction and interview | 4-5 minutes | Personal information, family, hobbies, work/studies, likes/dislikes |
| Part 2 | Individual long turn | 3-4 minutes | Describe a topic given on a cue card |
| Part 3 | Two-way discussion | 4-5 minutes | Abstract and complex questions related to the Part 2 topic, designed to assess the ability to express and justify opinions, speculate, and discuss more abstract topics related to the theme. |
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IELTS Speaking Part 3
In Part 3, you will be expected to speak in more detail and complexity than in Part 1 and demonstrate your ability to use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
The examiner may also interrupt you and ask follow-up questions to encourage you to expand on your answers and demonstrate your fluency.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topics
Below are the most common IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.
Also read: Mastering IELTS Speaking Part 3: 50 Common Questions And Answers
| Topic | Topic | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Gift | Animals | Health |
| Food | Ambition | Boredom |
| Plants | Art | Advertisement |
| Weather | Respect | Skills And Abilities |
| Positive Change | Travel | Social Media |
| Famous Person | Photography | Role Models |
| Shopping | Education | Relationships |
| Communication | Concentration | Internet |
| Natural Disasters | Promise | Business |
| Environment | Space Exploration | Language |
| Smile | Handicraft | Success |
| Festivals | Movies | Imagination |
| Games | Artificial Intelligence | Accommodation |
| Advice | Clothing | Music |
| Toys | Celebration | Truth And Lies |
| Bags | Transportation | Skills |
| Neighbors | Life Experience | Pollution |
| Sports And Competition | Science | Jobs |
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Question Types
Here are some common types of questions you may encounter in IELTS Speaking Part 3, along with examples of each type.
| Type of Question | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion-based | Asks for your opinion on a particular topic or issue. | What’s your opinion on the impact of social media on young people? |
| Prediction-based | Asks you to make predictions or projections about a future trend or event. | What do you think the world will be like in 50 years? |
| Comparison-based | Asks you to compare two or more things, ideas, or concepts. | In what ways is studying online different from studying in a traditional classroom? |
| Problem-solving | Asks you to identify a problem or challenge and suggest possible solutions or strategies. | How can we encourage more people to use public transportation instead of driving cars? |
| Hypothetical | Asks you to imagine or speculate about a hypothetical scenario or situation. | What would you do if you found a wallet on the street? |
| Explanation-based | Asks you to explain a particular concept, idea, or trend. | Can you explain the concept of sustainable development? |
| Discussion-based | Requires you to discuss with the examiner, providing your thoughts and opinions on a particular topic. | How do you think globalization has affected your country? |
| Cause and effect-based | Requires you to explain the relationship between a cause and its effect or to identify the causes or effects of a particular phenomenon. | What do you think are the causes of traffic congestion in big cities? |
| Advantages and disadvantages-based | Asks you to consider the positive and negative aspects of a particular topic or issue. | What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in the classroom? |
Remember that these are just examples, and the questions you encounter may be worded differently or combine elements of different question types.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Tips
Here are some tips for IELTS Speaking Part 3:
- Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions and make sure you understand them fully before answering.
- Use a variety of sentence structures and linkers to connect your ideas and make your responses more coherent and organized.
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Don’t rush or mumble, but also don’t speak too slowly or hesitantly.
- Use appropriate vocabulary and expressions to convey your ideas and opinions effectively. Don’t try to use overly complex language if you’re not comfortable with it.
- Don’t be afraid to express your own opinions and ideas, even if they differ from the examiner’s. However, make sure you back up your opinions with reasons and examples.
- Try to avoid giving short, one-word answers. Instead, aim to provide detailed and thoughtful responses that showcase your language skills.
- Stay focused and engaged throughout the test. Don’t let your mind wander or lose track of the conversation.
- Avoid repeating yourself.
- Don’t be afraid to ask the examiner to repeat a question if you don’t understand it.
- Practice speaking English as much as possible in your daily life.
- Avoid using fillers such as “um” or “ah.”
- Work on improving your pronunciation and intonation.
- Record yourself speaking and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
- Don’t worry too much about making mistakes—focus on communicating your ideas effectively.
- Maintain eye contact with the examiner and use appropriate body language.
- Familiarize yourself with the test format and practice speaking with a native speaker or an experienced tutor.
- Be polite and respectful to the examiner at all times.
By following these tips, you can improve your speaking skills and increase your chances of achieving a high score on the IELTS Speaking test. However, it’s important to remember that there is no single “magic formula” for achieving a particular band score—it ultimately depends on your level of English proficiency and how well you perform on the day of the test. So, try to stay relaxed, confident, and focused during the test, and do your best to showcase your language skills to the examiner.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: FAQs
How Long Should I Speak In The IELTS Speaking Part 3?
IELTS Speaking Part 3 typically lasts 4-5 minutes, but the duration of your responses may vary depending on the complexity of the questions and the extent of the discussion with the examiner. As a general guideline, you should aim to provide complete and detailed responses to the examiner’s questions without going off-topic or repeating yourself unnecessarily. The key is to listen carefully to the questions, organize your thoughts, and deliver your answers in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner.
How Many Sentences Are There In The IELTS Speaking Part 3?
There is no specific number of sentences that you should aim for in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test. Instead, you should focus on providing detailed and coherent answers to the examiner’s questions.
How Can I Get 7.5 On The IELTS Speaking Test?
To achieve a 7.5 or higher on the IELTS Speaking test, you should try to speak fluently and confidently, use a broad range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide detailed and coherent answers to the examiner’s questions. You should also try to express opinions and justify them and demonstrate the ability to speculate and discuss abstract topics.
How Can I End The IELTS Speaking Part 3?
The examiner will end the part when the allotted time is up. Just stay focused and engaged throughout the test, and answer each question to the best of your ability.
Is IELTS Speaking Part 3 Important?
Yes. IELTS Speaking Part 3 is definitely an important part of the test as it allows the examiner to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in English on a more complex and abstract level. In this part, the examiner can also adjust the difficulty of their questions to assess your language skills more accurately, so it’s important to prepare well and approach this part with confidence and focus.
