IELTS Speaking Section: Learn all About Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

IELTS Speaking Section Overview

The IELTS Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS examiner and is about 11 to 14 minutes long. It comprises three different parts, which test your ability to communicate in English in a variety of real-life situations. These three parts check your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and coherence as you respond to questions, speak on a topic, and engage in a discussion with the examiner.

Moreover, the IELTS speaking test is conducted separately from the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections. Either it can be arranged for a different day or time, depending on the availability and rules of the test centre.

Part-Wise Breakdown of IELTS Speaking

All three parts of the IELTS Speaking section systematically assess your Spoken English proficiency and provide a complete picture of your ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations. This includes answering simple personal questions to discussing abstract ideas and opinions.

Let’s break down the IELTS speaking format of each of them separately:

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction & Interview

The IELTS speaking test duration for Part 1 is around 4 to 5 minutes long, and it primarily focuses on getting to know you better. You can think of IELTS Speaking Part 1 as a warm-up session. Here, the examiner will ask/talk to you about familiar speaking topics for IELTS, like your hometown, family, studies, work, hobbies, and daily routine. IELTS Speaking Part 1 tests your ability to:

• Speak naturally and confidently about familiar topics
• Answer basic questions clearly
• Use everyday vocabulary and simple grammar
• Keep the conversation going without long pauses

Number of Questions Asked: 8–12 questions across 3 different familiar topics.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: The Long Turn (Cue Card)

In the IELTS Speaking Part 2, you are required to talk about the given IELTS speaking topics for around 1-2 minutes. In total, you will get around 3 minutes, where 1 minute is for you to prepare and take notes. In this part, the examiner will give you an IELTS cue card, aka a task card, that will have a topic written on it along with a few pointers to help you guide your response. Your job here is to talk about that topic for 2 minutes without stopping and cover the given pointers. The IELTS Speaking Part 2 tests your ability to:

• Talk for a long time on any topic in English
• Organise your ideas in a clear order
• Use a variety of vocabulary words
• Share your thoughts clearly and in a logical way
• Speak at a natural and steady speed

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-Way Discussion

Part 3, or the last part of the IELTS Speaking section, is a two-way discussion which will happen between you and the examiner. The IELTS Speaking test duration for this will be around 4 to 5 minutes, and you will be required to answer a few abstract and in-depth questions related to the same topic given in the IELTS speaking cue cards. This will test your ability to:

• Discussing broader topics beyond personal experience
• Sharing and explaining your opinions
• Thinking deeply about issues
• Making predictions
• Speaking smoothly and organising your ideas clearly

Number of Questions Asked: 4 – 6 questions, but can reach up to 7 – 8 depending on your answer.

IELTS Speaking Scoring Criteria

The Speaking section is scored based on four main band descriptors, each of which weighs around 25% of your final IELTS Speaking test scores. Moreover, the examiner scores each of these four IELTS speaking band descriptors on a scale of 0 to 9. Let’s understand these IELTS Speaking scoring criteria below:

1. Fluency and Coherence (FC)

The Fluency and Coherence band description is used to measure how smoothly and logically you can speak in the English language. It checks whether you can talk without taking long pauses, repeating yourself too much, or struggling to find words. Moreover, it also checks how well you can connect your ideas and whether your speech follows a clear structure or not.

Key indicators

How to score high

• Practice speaking without stopping for long pauses.
• Use linking words to connect your ideas.
• Structure your answers with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Avoid repeating the same words or phrases.
• Keep your speech focused and relevant to the question.

2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

Lexical Resource in the IELTS Speaking is used to measure your vocabulary skills. It assesses not only how many words you know, but how accurately and appropriately you can use them in your speech. The examiner checks whether you can use the right words for different IELTS speaking topics, including both everyday and academic subjects. During your IELTS exam preparation, focusing on vocabulary practice is essential to score well in this criterion.

Key indicators

How to score high

• Use synonyms instead of repeating the same words.
• Avoid using words you are unsure about.
• Use collocations and natural expressions.
• Show flexibility in expressing the same idea in different ways.

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)

The next one of the IELTS speaking band descriptors is Grammatical Range and Accuracy. It tests how well you use grammar correctly and naturally. It also checks whether you can form both simple and complex sentences and whether your grammar errors affect understanding.

Key indicators

How to score high

• Use different sentence types, not just simple sentences.
• Practice complex structures until they become natural.
• Focus on accuracy rather than complicated grammar.
• Avoid common mistakes like incorrect tenses and wrong word order.

4. Pronunciation (P)

Lastly, the pronunciation band descriptor measures how clearly the examiner can understand you. This IELTS speaking scoring criteria is not about having a perfect accent, but also about using speech features that make your speaking clear and natural.

Key indicators

How to score high

• Practice stress patterns, for example, I didn’t say “no” vs I didn’t say no.
• Use natural rhythm and intonation like a native speaker.
• Record yourself to identify unclear sounds when giving an IELTS speaking mock test during preparation.
• Avoid speaking too fast, which can reduce clarity.

Common IELTS Speaking Topics and Questions in 2026

Now that you have a better understanding of the IELTS Speaking section, let’s take a look at some of the common IELTS Speaking topics you can cover in all three parts.

1. Common Part 1 Topics & Sample Questions

• Home & Hometown: Where do you live? What do you like most about your hometown? How has your hometown changed over the years?
• Work or Studies: Do you work or study? Why did you choose your field of work/study? Would you like to change your career or study in the future?
• Free Time, Hobbies & Interests: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What hobbies are popular in your country? How do you usually spend your weekends?
• Technology & Media: How often do you use technology in your daily life? Do you prefer watching movies online or on TV? Is social media important to you?
• Daily Life & Routines: What is your usual morning routine? How has your day-to-day life changed in recent years? Do you find routines important?

2. Common Part 2 Topics & Sample Questions

• People: Describe someone who inspires you.
• Places: Describe a place you have visited that you liked.
• Experiences & Events: Describe a happy event you remember.
• Objects or Technology: Describe a piece of technology that has changed your life.
• Activities & Achievements: Describe a time when you achieved something important.

3. Common Part 3 Topics & Sample Questions

• Technology & Society: How has technology changed communication? Do you think artificial intelligence will replace human jobs in the future? Should screen time be limited for children?
• Education & Career: What makes a good teacher? Do you think online learning is as effective as classroom learning? How should schools prepare students for modern jobs?
• Environment & Sustainability: What can individuals do to protect the environment? Should governments force companies to reduce pollution? How serious is climate change?
• Culture & Social Values: How does globalisation impact local traditions? Should governments preserve cultural heritage? Are younger generations losing touch with tradition?
• Work & Lifestyle: Is work-life balance achievable in today’s world? Should job satisfaction matter more than salary? How has workplace culture changed with remote work?

Tips and Tricks for IELTS Speaking Section

To do well in the IELTS Speaking test in 2026, it is important to understand what the examiner is really looking for. This test is not just about how many English words you know. It is about how clearly and confidently you can speak, how well you organise your ideas, and how naturally you communicate.

Below are a few practical IELTS speaking tips and tricks that can help you achieve just that:

1. Don’t memorise answers: Examiners can easily notice memorised speech. It sounds boring and can reduce your score.

2. Practice common topics: Be ready to talk about popular topics like technology, the environment, travel, and education.

3. Use comfortable vocabulary: Don’t use difficult words you are unsure about. Use words and phrases you know well and can use correctly.

4. Use different grammar forms: Try to use past, present, and future tenses while speaking. Simple and correct grammar is better than complex mistakes.

5. Take time to think: If you need a moment, use phrases like “That’s a good question” instead of saying “um” or “ah.”

6. Fix mistakes quickly: If you make an error, correct it and continue speaking without stopping.

7. Vary your voice: Don’t speak in a flat tone. Change your tone and stress important words to sound natural and clear.

8. Practice with a mock test. Regular IELTS mock tests help you understand the exam format, manage time, and build confidence before the real test.

Conclusion

Summing up, the IELTS Speaking section is an easy way to improve your overall band score if you focus on fluency, vocabulary, and confidence. Moreover, to ace it, there are multiple ways you can work on your speaking skills, most of which we have mentioned above. But besides them, you can also use the IELTS speaking practice test available at Gradding. They provide real exam-style questions, instant feedback, and detailed score reports to help you track your progress and improve faster. Additionally, you can boost your progress through IELTS online coaching, where Gradding’s expert guidance and personalised practice help you achieve better results quickly.

FAQs

1. What are the Common Topics in IELTS Speaking?

In the IELTS Speaking, the common topics for Part 1 generally revolve around your personal life and can include themes like daily life and personal experiences, including Work/Study, Hometown/Home, Family/Friends, Hobbies/Free Time, and Travel/Holidays. For Part 2 and Part 3, you can face more abstract topics like Education & Career (Studies, subjects, job), Leisure & Culture (Hobbies, sports, free time), and Society & World (Technology, environment, social media).

2. Is the IELTS Speaking Test the Same for Academic and General?

Yes, the IELTS Speaking test, both Academic and General, is the same. The format, timing, and scoring criteria are identical. The only difference is in the Listening and Reading sections, where the content varies depending on the test type.

3. How Can I Improve Fluency for IELTS Speaking?

You can improve both your fluency and coherence for IELTS Speaking by focusing more on developing a natural and steady rhythm instead of increasing speed. Moreover, you can also try to use the “Stalling” phrases like "Well, let me see...", "I suppose...", or "To be honest..." instead of silent gaps or excessive "umms" and "ahhs."

4. Are Mock Tests Useful for IELTS Speaking Preparation?

Giving mock tests is an important part of your IELTS Speaking preparation as they can help you focus more on real-time practice rather than theoretical knowledge. Moreover, they can also help you overcome exam anxiety, learn time management, find blind spots, and get a realistic analysis of your current speaking skills.

5. What are the Common Mistakes in IELTS Speaking?

Some common mistakes that students make in the IELTS Speaking section are:

• Giving short and vague answers.
• Going off the topic and derailing the conversation.
• Not projecting enough confidence and using too many filler words.
• Pronouncing words wrong or using a robotic tone