What are the most common IELTS speaking part 2 topics?

While preparing for the IELTS examination, one is assessed on various skills. The IELTS exam is divided into four modules, namely - Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Without a second thought, practice is what makes one achieve their desired band score in the IELTS examination, but there is a critical approach that students often forget - to practise from the right source and use authentic IELTS preparation material. While students access top online IELTS coaching, it's equally important to look out for the most common questions, practice tests, and expert guidance. Let’s dig deeper into the speaking module and get familiar with some of the most common IELTS speaking questions.    

IELTS Speaking test – All you need to know:

When it comes to the speaking test, one needs to prepare for three different parts. Let’s understand these one by one:

Part 1[4-5 minutes]: In this part, the examiner asks you questions about yourself, your work, your hometown/city, and other familiar topics. It’s an introductory part where you have to answer each question in 2-3 sentences. Try to keep your answers short and precise and avoid speaking more than four sentences for each question. This part assesses your ability to have simple conversations about familiar topics. 

Part 2 [3-4 minutes]: In part 2, you are given a specific topic on which you have to speak for 1 to 2 minutes. It is also known as a cues-based topic because you get certain hints or pointers that you must include in your answer. In order to prepare, you get 1 minute where you can make some notes and prepare the ideas in your mind. It is the most important part of the speaking test as it tests your ability to speak on a given topic on the spot. Make sure to cover all the mentioned points and connect your sentences well.  

Part 3 [4-5 minutes]: In this part, the examiner asks you follow-up questions in regard to part 2. The discussion questions are related to the topic you covered in the previous part. As these are discussion questions, you have to answer each question in 5-6 sentences. Try to add examples to support your notion in part 3.      

It’s important to understand the instructions for each part so that you can practise each part accordingly. The overall duration of the speaking exam revolves around 12-15 minutes on average, and one is assessed on the basis of four core factors - Coherence and fluency, Lexical Resource, Grammar, and pronunciation. All of the best coaching centres for IELTS recommend students to be aware of the assessment criteria in order to achieve a higher band score. 

Most Common IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions 

Part 2 of the speaking module serves as a pivotal point for students to leave a lasting impression on examiners. A well-structured and engaging response in this segment can compensate for any shortcomings in other parts of the Speaking test. Without a second thought, a good response in part 2 influences your overall band score in a positive way.

In order to ace the speaking test, one must practise the most common questions to be asked in the cue card. Let's discuss the most probable topics that you might witness in your final examination. Since this part is all about you and your experiences and life events, the topics will revolve around you only. Let’s look at some of the most common IELTS part 2 questions gathered by top online IELTS coaching experts: 

Probable Speaking Part 2 topics from top IELTS online coaching centres 

Now, let’s discuss the most probable topics that you might witness in your final examination. Since this part is all about you and your experiences, life events so the topics will revolve around you only. Some of the typical topics are:

Describe a photo in your home.

1. Whose photo is it?
2. Why do you like it?
3. Where at home is it placed?

Describe something that you found difficult to use first.

1. What is that thing?
2. Why do you find it difficult to use?
3. Are you comfortable using it now?

Discuss an event that was very exciting for you. 

1. What was that event?
2. Why was it so exciting for you?
3. Has it left any impact on your overall personality?

What changes would you like to bring in your neighbourhood? 

1. Why would you like to make those changes?
2. Do you think it will bring some positive changes in the neighbourhood?
3. Would you seek somebody’s help in the same?

Discuss your favourite sport.

1. Why is it your favourite sport?
2. Do you know how to play it?
3. When did you start playing it?

Talk about your dream job. 

1. Why is it your dream job?
2. What are you doing to reach your desired job?
3. What has inspired you to do this job?

Talk about the place you recently visited.

1. When did you visit it?
2. What did you like the most about that place?
3. Would you like to visit it again in the future?

The most challenging thing you did.

1. What was that thing?
2. What prompted you to do that thing?
3. Were you happy with the results?

The person you admire the most. 

1. Why do you admire that person?
2. What are the things that you would like to inculcate in yourself from him/her?
3. Have you ever met that person personally?

A time when you apologised someone.

1. Why did you have to apologise?
2. Did you realise your mistake or was it done under compulsion?
3. Would you ever repeat that thing?

Your favourite tv series.

1. Which is your favourite series
2. Why do you like it?
3. Do you watch it alone or with friends/family?

A successful small venture/business you like.

1. When did this business start?
2. Why do you like it?
3. Would you ever like to be a part of this business?

Describe a party that you enjoyed the most.

1. When did you attend it?
2. Why did you enjoy it?
3. Were you with your friends or family there?

Talk about the subject that you like to study the most.

1. What is the subject?
2. Why do you like it?
3. Do you think studying this subject will be beneficial for you?

Describe your favorite city.

1. Why do you like this city?
2. Have you ever visited it?
3. Would you ever like to settle down there?

Which newspaper or magazine you enjoy reading the most.

1. When did you start reading that newspaper/magazine?
2. Why do you like reading it?
3. Do you read it regularly?

Describe something you own which is very important to you.

1. Why is it so important to you?
2. Was it given to you or you bought it yourself?
3. For how long do you have it?

Describe your favourite animal.

1. What kind of animal is it?
2. Why is it your favourite animal?
3. Describe it.

Describe a historical event.

1. What is that event?
2. Have you ever attended that event?
3. Why is that event called historical?

Describe the best present that you have received. 

1. Who sent it to you?
2. When did you receive it?
3. Why is it the most special present for you?

NOTE:

Please note that these are some of the topics that we have mentioned here. But there are of course many more topics in the list. In the broader category, we can divide the topics into five:

1. School, study or job/work
2. Important events that changed your life / important changes in your life
3. Places you visited or would like to visit in the future
4. Your goals and aims
5. Hobbies or activities you do in your free time

So keeping these categories in mind, you can think of all the possible questions and practice.

Smart techniques to prepare for your part 2 exam

Now, since we have understood the basics of this section, let's learn some of the most effective ways to prepare yourself for this crucial interview/exam.

Watch some good speaking tests: 

The British Council and IDP have created some sample speaking tests for a better understanding of how the speaking test proceeds. One important tip is that initially you should watch videos of students who score 7.0 or 8.0 bands and not direct 9.0 bands. This might scare you, resulting in losing confidence. 

Prepare practice notes: 

As we have already discussed above, it is highly important to practice the practice notes. Speaking impromptu during the final interview could be a bit risky. So place a bowl full of cue cards in front of yourself, pick one and write the notes for 1 minute. You can also think of drawing a mind map if you find it more convenient. 

Record yourself: 

While you are practicing to speak on different topics, set up a stopwatch for 2 minutes and then record yourself. Listen to your recording and you’ll know how you were. Note the places where you took a pause and see how you can improve yourself. 

Practice Tenses: 

Grammar is a crucial aspect of the speaking module, and different speaking cue cards can require different tenses. It requires one to use past, present, or future tense depending upon the requirement of the question. Try to practise your answers in different tenses. For example, if the topic is to describe your hobby, practice in 3 ways - A hobby that you had in your childhood, your current hobby, and a hobby that you would like to have in the future. This will allow you to practise different tenses to achieve accuracy in grammar. . 

To encapsulate, IELTS Speaking part 2 can be challenging, but if you follow the right strategy and practise the most common questions, it sets you on the right track to achieve your desired band score in the IELTS examination. Log on to Yuno Learning and access the latest IELTS speaking questions with answers.