IELTS Speaking Part 2 and 3: Sample Questions

Part 2 question: 

Describe a small successful business that you know about.  

Part 3 questions:

• What is required to make a company successful? 
• What qualities do successful people have? 
• Which emerging industries do you know about? 
• What do you think of charitable organizations? 
• What kind of small businesses are most popular? 
• Should companies promote competition? Why or why not? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a trip you took by public transport. 

Part 3 question:

Do you think traffic jams would be reduced if people could travel on public transport for free? 

Do you think people should use public transport more often? 

What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel? 

Which method of travel do you consider the safest? Why? 

Has travel become safer in recent years than it was in the past? 

Should the government in a country focus more on rail transport or road transport? Why? 

Part 2 question:

Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the internet that could help people improve their health. 

Part 3 question:

• How do you think people could become healthier? 
• Are there any differences between the way young people and old people try to stay healthy? 
• Do schools in your country have any special activities to enhance the fitness of students?
• Do you think people in the future will be doing more exercise and eating healthier than they are doing today? 
• Why is it that different people want to see different magazines? 
• Do people still buy magazines in your country? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a time when someone apologized to you. 

Part 3 question:

• Do you think it is important to say sorry? 
• In what situations do people say sorry? 
• Why do some people don't like apologizing? 
• In what conditions should we apologize immediately? 
• When was the last time you found it hard to accept an apology? 
• When do people say thank you? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a person who is often in the news, and who you would like to meet. 

Part 3 question:

• Is all the news that is available on social media reliable? 
• What are the differences between how people received the news in the past and how they do it now? 
• What type of people can be seen on TV? What kind of people do the news usually report about? 
• Do you think negative information in the news can have a negative influence? 
• Do you believe everything said in the news? 
• How do you think celebs in the news can influence adolescents?

Part 2 question:

Describe an important text message you received. 

Part 3 question:

• Why do some people like using text messages instead of phone calls? 
• Why do you think there are some people who don't like texting? 
• Have the ways that people communicate with each other changed much in the last few decades? 
• Do you think modern technology has any negative influence on communication? 
• What do you think are the major differences between written communication and spoken communication? 
• How do people in your country get important news? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a performance you enjoyed watching. 

Part 3 question:

• What is the difference between watching a performance live and on Television? 
• Is learning music or dancing helpful for kids? 
• Should the government provide financial support to traditional performances? 
• Do you think traditional performances are important? 
• Do you think the theatre should be run as a business or as a Public service? 
• How do you think watching a dance performance or a stage play influences children?

Part 2 question:

Describe a change that could improve your local area. 

Part 3 question:

• Why are people living in a community friendly with others? 
• Do people like living in a community? 
• Where do the people in the community have social gatherings? 
• What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? 
• Why do you think some people like to help others? 
• What kind of public facilities are available in your city? 

1. 

Part 2 question:

Describe a family member you spend most of the time with. 

Part 3 questions:

• What are the benefits of younger and older generations living together? 
• Is it important to visit family members? Why? 
• What are the advantages of strong family relationships? 
• Do both parents have equal responsibilities in taking care of their children? 
• Do your parents do household chores equally? 
• How has the size of the family changed in the last few decades in your country? 

2.

Part 2 Question:

Describe a family member you want to work with in the future.

Part 3 questions:

• What types of family businesses are common in your country? 
• Why do people want to run a family business?
• What are the benefits of working with family members?
• Is it easier to get promoted in big companies?
   

Part 2 question:

Describe a crowded place you've been to. 

Part 3 question:

• Do you like to go to places where there are many people? 
• What kinds of places are crowded in your city? 
• Would you say that the majority of the cities in your country are overcrowded? 
• How can the problem of traffic congestion be solved? 
• Why do people still like to live in big cities even though there are severe traffic jams? 
• Have you ever been to a totally quiet location? 

Part 2 question:

Describe an interesting animal you have seen. 

Part 3 question:

• What kinds of animals do people keep as Pets in your country? 
• What are some benefits of keeping pets? 
• Do you think people should be allowed to keep rare animals as Pets? 
• Do you think it is important to spend money on protecting rare and endangered species? 
• What measures might be taken to protect endangered species from extinction? 
• Do you think it is acceptable to use animals to test new cosmetics or medical drugs? 

Part 2 question:

Describe the dress that you wore on a special occasion :

Part 3 question:

• Why do some people like to wear traditional clothes? 
• Will traditional clothes disappear in the future? 
• Do you think people need to wear formal clothing in the workplace? 
• Do you think it is necessary for children to wear school uniforms? 
• Where do you usually buy clothes from? 
• How has clothes fashion changed in your country over the last few decades? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in. 

Part 3 question:

• Do most Indian people live in an apartment or a house? 
• Do young people in your country like to live with their parents or on their own? 
• Would you live in a foreign country in the future? 
• How is modern home design in your country different from that of the past? 
• Do people usually buy or rent a house? Why? 
• What do you imagine people’s houses will be like in the future?

Part 2 question:

Describe a challenging thing you have done. 

Part 3 question:

• What challenges do young people face today?
• What kinds of jobs require people to be confident? 
• On what occasions should children be encouraged? How? 
• How do you help children stay focused?
• Which do you think is better, to face these difficulties and challenges alone or to seek the help of others?
• Do you think being challenged is good for a person?

Part 2 question: 

Describe something exciting that you did/ Describe an exciting experience you have had.

Part 3 questions:

• Why do you think some people like doing new things?
• What problems can people have when they try new activities for the first time?
• Do you think it’s best to do new things on your own or with other people? Why?
• What kinds of things do children learn to do when they are very young? How important are these things?
• Do you think children and adults learn to do new things in the same way? How is their learning style different?
• Some people say that children learn a lot more quicker than adults. Would you agree with that statement?

Part 2 question:

Describe an interesting speech or talk you heard recently.

Part 3 questions:

• Why do people feel nervous when they are giving a speech to others?
• How can people improve their public speaking skills?
• Can you suggest any methods that would help reduce nervousness?
• Is it good for people to visit schools and talk to children about different things?
• What type of person is best suited to give a talk to a group of students?
• Is it hard to strike up a conversation with a stranger? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a trip that was not up to your expectations.

Part 3 questions:

• What are some famous tourist spots in your country?
• What are the positive impacts of tourism in your country?
• What do you think are the reasons people visit new places?
• What can you tell about the future of the tourism industry in your country?
• Do you think there are also negative impacts of tourism?
• In your opinion, why do people like to travel to other countries?

Part 2 question:

Describe a part of your country that you find interesting.

Part 3 question:

• Do you think cities worth visiting are also suitable to live in?
• What is the difference between big cities and small cities?
• What is the difference between the north and south parts of your country?
• What makes one country different from the other?
• Do you like living in big cities or small ones?
• Has your country changed much since you were a child?

Part 2 question:

Describe a practical skill you learned.

Part 3 question:

• What kinds of professions require practical skills?
• What age will make it difficult for a person to learn a skill?
• What is the difference between children learning what they like and learning what they have to learn?
• Do you think boys and girls should learn the same skills?
• Do you like to learn new skills constantly?
• What is the most difficult aspect of learning anything according to you? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a party you have attended.

Part 3 question:

• What are the main reasons why people organize family parties in your country?
• Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is?
• Why do some people like parties while others hate them?
• What would you do if the guests you have invited to a party feel bored?
• Will there be more and more people attending parties in the future?
• Why do some people like to host parties at a restaurant or hotel rather than at their houses?

Part 2 question:

Describe a traditional product in your country.

Part 3 questions:

• Describe another traditional product from your country.
• What are the benefits of traditional products to locals?
• Do you think the government should help in the promotion of traditional products?
• Do you think because of globalization countries are adopting each other's traditions?
• Did the traditional things of the past have more value than the present things?
• Is it necessary to protect traditions?

Part 2 question:

Describe an invention that has positively changed the world.

Part 3 questions:

• How has technology made our life easier?
• Which invention do you think is the most useful at home?
• Is it more difficult for old people to accept new technologies?
• What can be done to help old people learn to make use of new technologies?
• Will our life be better if we live without technology?
• What are the limitations of technology when it comes to interpersonal relationships?

Part 2 question:

Describe a positive change that you made in your life.

Part 3 questions:

• How is your country changing?
• Do you think change is good？
• What changes have smartphones brought to our lives?
• Do you think people working from home would be a positive change?
• Do you think people’s work in the future will be heavily affected by technology?
• Compare the pace of technological progress in the past and in the present.

Part 2 question:

Describe something you do that can help you concentrate on work/study.

Part 3 questions:

• Is it important for kids to concentrate?
• How can employers make their employees concentrate on their work?
• What kinds of jobs need higher levels of concentration?
• Why is it hard for some people to concentrate?
• Can technology help you concentrate?
• Do you need to concentrate when you play sports?

Part 2 question:

Describe an interesting song.

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of music is popular in your country?
• Do teenagers and adults enjoy the same kind of songs?
• On which occasions do people in your country sing together?
• Which kinds of songs are suitable for children? Why?
• Do you play any musical instruments?
• What might be the best age to start learning to play a musical instrument?

Part 2 question:

Describe a person you follow on social media.

Part 3 questions:

• What can people do on social media?
• Do you think older people and younger people will use the same kind of social media software? 
• Do older people spend much time on social media?
• Are non-social media like television and newspapers still useful?
• What do you think about making friends on social networking sites?
• Do you think older adults and young people can share the same interest?

Part 2 question:

Describe a contest you would like to participate in.

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of people are competitive?
• What kind of activities/competitions do people like to participate in?
• What kinds of competitions are prevalent in your hometown?
• Can you suggest some ways to reduce stress in this competitive era?
• Is it essential to be competitive in life?
• What benefits do you get if you work in a non-competitive field?

Part 2 question:

Describe a thing you did to learn another language.

Part 3 questions:

• Do you think language learning is important? Why?
• Which is better, to study alone or to study in a group? Why?
• What’s the best way to learn a language?
• Do you think minority languages will disappear in the future?
• Do you think grammar is important when you learn a foreign language? Why?
• Why is there a strong demand for language skills?

Part 2 question:

Describe a toy you liked in your childhood. 

Part 3 questions:

• What is the difference between girls’ and boys’ toys?
• Do you believe toys really assist in children’s growth?
• Does modern technology have an impact on children’s toys?
• In your childhood, did you receive more gifts from your family or friends?
• How did you feel when you received no toys on your birthday?
• Have we lost our hand skills such as sewing?

Part 2 question:

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved.

Part 3 questions:

• What ambitions do children usually have?
• Why are some people very ambitious in their work?
• Why don’t some people have dreams?
• How do people balance work and life?
• Should parents interfere with their children’s ambitions?
• Tell me about a time when you set yourself a stretching goal and achieved it.

Part 2 question:

Describe something you cannot live without.

Part 3 questions:

• Why do you think teenagers always want to have the latest devices such as the iPhone?
• Why do they often buy a new one even though they already have one?
• What do they do with the old one after buying a new one?
• What kinds of possessions give status to people in your country?
• Has it always been the same or were different possessions thought of as valuable in the past?
• Do you think advertising influences what people buy?

Part 2 question:

Describe a tradition in your country.

Part 3 questions:

• What is the importance of traditional festivals?
• Do you think it is important to celebrate events?
• What’s the difference between festivals now and in the past?
• Do you think western festivals like Christmas are replacing traditional festivals in your country?
• Do you think it is wrong for children not to celebrate traditional festivals?
• Do you think teenagers should learn about traditions?

Part 2 question:

Describe a book you read that you found useful or Describe an exciting book you read.

Part 3 questions:

• Do you generally read a lot of books or do you prefer watching TV? Why?
• What kind of books are considered good reads in your opinion?
• Do you think that people read nowadays as they did in the past?
• Do you regard famous writers as good role models?
• How does our reading habit change as we grow up? Why does it happen?

Part 2 question:

Describe a film/movie that made you laugh.

Part 3 questions:

• What is the difference between comedy on TV and comedy in books?
• Can humor be translated from one language to another?
• Are there jokes in your language that sound different in another language? Why do you think this is so?
• Do people like comedy?
• Why do some people like to make others laugh?

Part 2 question:

Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future or Describe a sport you would like to try for the first time.

Part 3 questions:

• Which is the most popular water sport in your country?
• Why do people like to do things near water?
• Do you think schools should teach students to swim and why?
• Do you think it is necessary for everyone to learn to swim?
• Are there many schools teaching swimming?
• Do you think the government should spend money on developing facilities for water sports?

Part 2 question:

Describe a program or an app on your computer or phone.

Part 3 questions:

• Which phone app is the most popular in your country?
• Do you think parents should limit the time their children spend on the phone?
• What is the importance of apps in a person’s life?
• Are there any drawbacks to apps?
• Do you think translation applications on mobiles will make learning another language unnecessary?
• How many times a day do you look at your mobile phone?

Part 2 question:

Describe a dinner you really enjoyed.

Part 3 questions:

• What is the difference between eating at home and eating out on special occasions?
• Why do people like to have special food on special occasions?
• What national identity can be seen in a nation’s cuisine?
• Why do global leaders like to gather around for dinner?
• What effects has modern technology had on the way food is produced?

Part 2 question:

Describe a tourist attraction you enjoyed visiting.

Part 3 questions:

• What are the most popular tourist attractions in your country?
• How do the types of tourist attractions that younger people like to visit compared with those that are visited by older people?
• Do you agree that some tourist attractions should be free to visit?
• Why is tourism important to a country?
• What are the benefits to individuals of visiting any country as a tourist?
• How necessary it is for tourists to learn the language of the country they are visiting?

Part 2 question:

Describe something you liked very much that you brought for your home.

Part 3 questions:

• Why do some people buy a lot of things for their home?
• Do you think it is very expensive to make a home look nice?
• Why do some people not care about their home looks?
• In what ways is living in a flat/apartment better than living in a house?
• Do you think homes will look different in the future?

Part 2 question:

Describe an interesting discussion you had as part of your work and studies.

Part 3 questions:

• Why is it good to discuss your problems with other people?
• Do you think it's better to talk to friends and not family about problems?
• Is it always a good idea to talk to lots of people about a problem?
• Which communication skills are most important when taking part in meetings with colleagues?
• What are the possible effects of poor written communication skills at work?
• What do you think will be the future impact of technology on communication in the workplace?

Part 2 question:

Describe a festival that is important in your country

Part 3 questions:

• Why do you think festivals are important events in a year?
• Would you agree that the original significance of festivals is often lost today? Is it good or bad, what do you think?
• Do you think that new festivals will be introduced in the future? What kind of?
• What role does the media play in festivals?
• Do you think its good or bad to watch festivals on TV?
• How may globalization affect different festivals around the world?

Part 2 question:

Describe a writer you would like to meet.

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of books are most popular with children in your country?
• Why do you think some children dont read books quite often?
• How do you think children can be encouraged to read more?
• Are there any occasions when reading at speed is a useful skills to have? What are they?
• Are there any jobs where people need to read a lot?
• Do you think reading novels is more interesting than reading factual books?

Part 2 question:

Describe a day when you thought the weather was perfect.

Part 3 questions:

• What types of weather do people in your country dislike the most? Why is that?
• What jobs can be affected by different weather conditions? Why?
• Are there any important festivals in your country that celebrate a season or type of weather?
• How important do you think it is for everyone to check what the next day’s weather will be? Why?
• What is the best way to get accurate weather information?
• How easy or difficult it is to predict the weather in your country? Why? 

Part 2 question:

Describe a website that you bought something from.

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of things do people in your country often buy from online stores?
• Why do you think online shopping has become so popular today?
• What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?
• Why do many people today keep buying things which they dont need?
• Do you believe that the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?
• How possible it is to avoid the culture of consumerism?

Part 2 question:

Describe a journey (eg. by train, car, plane, etc.) that you remember well.

Part 3 questions:

• Why do people need to travel everyday?
• What problems can people have when they are on their daily journey, for example to work or school? Why is this?
• Some people say that daily journeys like these will not be so common in the future. Do you agree or disagree?
• What do you think can people learn from travelling to other countries?
• Can travel make a positive difference to the economy of a country?
• Do you think a society can benefit if its members have experience of travelling to other countries? In what ways?

Part 2 question:

Describe an important decision or choice that you made in your life.

Part 3 questions:

• What are the typical choices that people make at different stages of their life?
• Should important choices be made by parents rather than young adults?
• Why do some people like to discuss their choices with other people?
• What kind of choices do people have to make in their everyday life?
• Why do some people choose to do the same things everyday?
• Do you think people today have more choices than people in the past?

1.

Part 2 question:

Describe a friend of your family that you remember from childhood.

Part 3 questions:

• What do you think makes someone a good friend to the whole family?
• Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friends different?
• How easy is it to make friends with different age groups?
• Do you think it is possible to be a friend with someone whom you have never met in real life? Is this real friendship?
• What kind of influence can friends have on our lives?
• How important would you say it is to have friends from different cultures?

2. 

Part 2 question:

Talk about someone you recently met and want to know more about. 

Part 3 questions:

• How do people make friends in your country?
• Under what circumstances do people usually make friends?
• Is it important to have the same hobbies and interests as your peers?
• What qualities make true friends?

3.

Part 2 question:

Talk about someone you like to spend time with. 

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of people are easier to get along with?
• What kind of people are difficult to get along with?
• Do people nowadays have enough time for socialization?
• Does technology make it easier to connect with friends and family?
   

Part 2 question:

Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire or survey.

Part 3 questions:

• What kind of orgnanizations want to find about people’s opinions?
• Do you think questionnaires and surveys are a good way to find out people’s opinion?
• What reasons people might have for not giving their opinions?
• Do you think it would be a good idea for schools to ask students' opinion about their lessons?
• What would the advantages for schools be if they ask students about their opinions?
• Would there be any disadvantages of asking students their opinions?

Part 2 question:

Describe a store or shop you often go to.

Part 3 questions:

• What type of local businesses are there in  your neighborhood? Are there any shops, restaurants or dentists for examples?
• Do you think local businesses are important for a neighborhood? In what way?
• How do large shopping malls and commercial centers affect small local businesses? Why do you think that is?
• Why do some people want to start their own business?
• Are there any disadvantage to running a business? Which is the most serious one?
• What are the most important qualities that a good business person needs? Why is that?

Part 2 Question:

Talk about a time when you successfully organized a happy event. 

Part 3 Questions:

• On what occasion should people organize?
• Does everything need to be well prepared?
• Do people need the help of others in organizing things?
• How can parents help children organize their schedules?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about a piece of furniture that you own. 

Part 3 Questions:

• How do people in your country buy furniture?
• In families in your country, who usually decides what kind of furniture to buy for the house?
• How do people in your country decide what furniture to buy for the home or office?
• Do people in your country prefer modern style or traditional furniture?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about someone who you think is very open. 

Part 3 Questions:

• Is it difficult for people in your country to express themselves?
• Who do you think will talk more? men or women?
• What is the difference between boys and girls expressing their feelings?
• Do you think people are more open than before?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about an interesting conversation you had with someone. 

Part 3 Questions:

• Do communication skills play an important role?
• Why do people need communication skills?
• What is the difference between talking to a man and talking to a woman?
• What other jobs require good communication skills?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam. 

Part 3 Questions:

• When do traffic jams usually happen?
• What are the causes of traffic jams?
• Do you think traffic congestion will decrease or get worse in the future?
• What measures do you suggest to solve the traffic problem?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about something that was broken in your home and then fixed. 

Part 3 Questions:

• Is the product quality worse than before?
• What kind of things do people like to fix themselves?
• Why do people prefer to repair their mobile phones in specialized stores?
• Is refurbishment always the best option?
   

Part 2 Question:

Talk about something you received for free. 

Part 3 Questions:

• When do people usually send gifts to others?
• Do people give gifts at traditional festivals?
• Is it hard to choose a gift?
• Will people be happy when they receive an expensive gift?
   

Describe a job that you would like to try.

Part 3

• What job is it?
• What skills are necessary to do this job?
• If it is a good job or not?
• And explain why you would like to work in this job?

PART 2

Describe how you spent/still spending your university life.

PART 3 

• Why, in your opinion, university education is important for us?
• What is the importance of technical universities in your country?
• How university education prepares students to face challenges in the future?
• Should a university grant admission based on a student's past academic results or performance in the admission tests? Why?
• Do you think university teachers in your country should be paid more money than they earn now? Why?
• Should attending classes at a university be mandatory or optional for its students? Why?

PART 2

•  Describe your favorite music band.

PART 3 

• Do you think music has an effect on people’s lives? How?
• Which is more important to the young generation in your country- music or TV programmes? Why?
• Does music have a relation with dancing? How?
• Has the type of music people used to like 20 years ago changed? Why?
• What changes in terms of young people's choice of music will occur in the next 20 years?
• Do you think anyone can be a musician? Why/why not? 

Part 2:

• Describe your favourite childhood friend.

Part 3:

• Do you still keep in touch with your friends from childhood? Why?
• How does modern technology influence friendship?
• How important is childhood friendship to children?How important is childhood friendship to children?
• What do you think of online social media?
• Do you think online social media will replace face-to-face communication?
• Why do people lose contact with their friends after graduation

Part 2:

• Describe an object that you think is beautiful.

Part 3:

• What does human beauty mean to you?
• Do you think the idea of human beauty now differs from the past?
• Do you think there are more beautiful things now than in the past? Why?
• What beautiful scenery spots are there in your country?
• Where do you think people usually come into contact with beautiful things?
• Why do you think people create beautiful things?

Part 2:

• Talk about someone you recently met and want to know more about. 

Part 3:

• How do people make friends in your country?
• Under what circumstances do people usually make friends?
• Is it important to have the same hobbies and interests as your peers?
• What qualities make true friends?

Part 2:

• Talk about a time when you successfully organized a happy event.

Part 3

• On what occasion should people organize?
• Does everything need to be well prepared?
• Do people need the help of others in organizing things?
• How can parents help children organize their schedules?

Part 2:

• Talk about someone you like to spend time with. 

Part 3

• What kind of people are easier to get along with?
• What kind of people are difficult to get along with?
• Do people nowadays have enough time for socialization?
• Does technology make it easier to connect with friends and family?

Part 2:

• Talk about a piece of furniture that you own.

Part 3

• How do people in your country buy furniture?
• In families in your country, who usually decides what kind of furniture to buy for the house?
• How do people in your country decide what furniture to buy for the home or office?
• Do people in your country prefer modern style or traditional furniture?

Part 2:

• Talk about someone who you think is very open.

Part 3

• Is it difficult for people in your country to express themselves?
• Who do you think will talk more? men or women?
• What is the difference between boys and girls expressing their feelings?
• Do you think people are more open than before?

Part 2:

• Talk about an interesting conversation you had with someone. 

Part 3

• Do communication skills play an important role?
• Why do people need communication skills?
• What is the difference between talking to a man and talking to a woman?
• What other jobs require good communication skills?