| Updated On - Sep 8, 2025
IELTS Speaking Highlights:
- Evaluation Method: The IELTS speaking test assesses fluency and communication abilities through a face-to-face interview.
- Band System: Scores range from 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert user). Top universities often require an average IELTS speaking band of 7.0 or higher.
- Practice Conversation: Regularly converse in English with family members or friends, and take regular mock tests to improve your IELTS speaking test practice.
- Focus on Understanding: Aim to understand topics rather than memorize answers.
Good English-speaking skills are important for studying or migrating abroad. How well and fluently you can speak in English is evaluated in IELTS speaking section. It is a face-to-face exam or interview session between you and the examiner. IELTS speaking score ranges between 0 and 9 band and is divided into three parts. IELTS speaking topics cover a wide range of content, and the tests last between 11 and 14 minutes. One thing you need to remember is that the speaking test is the same for both academic and general training. Evaluation of IELTS exam speaking topics answers based on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, pronunciation, and grammatical accuracy. Don’t focus much on your accent and use a wider range of grammar and vocabulary to improve your IELTS speaking score.
IELTS Speaking Test Topics
IELTS speaking topics cover a wide range of content from daily life to technology, business, sports, and so on. You can effectively prepare for IELTS speech topics through books, practice papers, and preparation organizations. Regular preparation can help you to understand the topics but do not memorize the answers.
IELTS speaking part 1: This part will start with an introduction, and the examiner confirm your identity. The examiner then will ask you general questions on familiar topics.
IELTS speaking part 2: You will be provided with a task card where you need to talk about a particular topic. You will be asked to talk on this topic, and then the examiner will ask you one or two questions.
IELTS speaking part 3: In part 3, the examiner will ask you further questions and require detailed answers connected to the topic of part 2.
IELTS Speaking Topic for Task 1
| Topic | Relatable Questions |
|---|---|
| Country | Where do you live in your country? Is it an interesting place to live? What is the climate like in your country? What is your country famous for? Are you planning to live there in the future? |
| Hometown | Can you tell me about your hometown? Do you have a lot of friends? Are there good transportation facilities in your hometown? Is there any way your hometown could be made better? |
| Lifestyle | Do you lead an active life? Has your life changed much in the last year? What do you do in your free time? Do you work right now? |
| Movies | Which one is your favourite cinema? How often do you go to the cinema? Which actor would you like to play in a film? What are the advantages of watching a cinema? |
| Art | Do you like art? How do you think art classes affect children’s development? Are art classes necessary to become an artist? How can an artist affect society? |
IELTS Speaking Topic for Task 2
| Topic | Relatable Questions |
|---|---|
| The Happiest Day You Had | You should say: Where were you? Who you were with? What did you do? And explain why you think it was the happiest day. |
| Describe an Experience When You Lost Something | You Should Say: What did you lose? How did you lose it? Where did you lose it? |
| Your Idea of Starting a New Business | You should say What is the business about? How do you get this idea? What preparation and planning would it require? |
| A TV Program That Inspires You | The answer should include the following points- What genre/type of program it is? What is the program on/what is it about? How frequently do you watch it? What usually happens in the program? Why do you enjoy it? Is it popular in your country? Explain why the TV program leaves such a strong impression on you |
| A City You Want To Visit | You should say: The place you want to visit? What is the reason you chose that place to visit? When do you plan on visiting it and how? |
IELTS Speaking Exam Format
IELTS speaking test is evaluated by certified examiners throughout the test. Many test centers will start delivering IELTS Speaking tests via video calls. Understanding the topic and answer relevantly is important to achieve a good speaking score. Your ability to express and justify opinions and thoughts is evaluated in the speaking part of IELTS syllabus. You will be allocated 11 to 14 minutes to complete the three parts of the speaking test.
| Parts | Duration | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 Minutes | The examiner will introduce him/herself, and ask you to introduce yourself. You will get generic questions on topics like family, studies, work, and your interests. |
| Part 2 | 3–4 Minutes | The examiner will give you a cue card on a particular topic. You will be given 1 minute to prepare and take notes on the topic. Then the examiner will ask you to answer some questions on the same subject. |
| Part 3 | 4–5 Minutes | Questions in part 3 depend on the cue card given in part 2. You need to answer these questions in detail. |
IELTS Speaking Score
IELTS speaking exams are evaluated by certified and trained examiners. Your total speaking score ranges between 0 and 9 bands, and each band of IELTS score describes a different proficiency level. Top-ranking universities require an average of 7.0 IELTS speaking band or higher.
| Speaking Band Score | Proficiency Level |
|---|---|
| Band 9 | Expert user |
| Band 8 | Very good user |
| Band 7 | Good user |
| Band 6 | Competent user |
| Band 5 | Modest user |
| Band 4 | Limited user |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user |
| Band 1 | Non-user |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test |
IELTS Speaking Scoring Criteria
IELTS speaking section evaluation is based on four different criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Your achieved IELTS speaking band scores help the organizations to understand how well you can speak in English. Achieving an IELTS band score of 7 means that you can speak without noticeable effort or loss of coherence.
IELTS Speaking Preparation Tips
IELTS speaking preparation tips help you to effectively prepare for the exam. You must understand the basics of the test by going through IELTS talking topics with answers. The preparation books include IELTS speaking topics with answers and also offer prep strategies. Joining IELTS speaking practice online courses or offline batches will help you to prepare under expert mentorship. You can refer to the list below to check tips and strategies for IELTS speaking:
- Practice English conversation with others.
- Record yourself to assess confidence and pronunciation.
- Focus on expressing your opinions clearly.
- Avoid simply repeating the examiner's question.
- Speak naturally and at a moderate pace.
- Provide detailed answers, not just yes or no.
- Use correct verb tenses when responding.
- Practice pronouncing numbers.
- Use the simple vocabulary you're comfortable with.
- Support your answers with reasons for richer language use.
Most universities recommend an overall score, but some universities may prefer higher IELTS speaking scores. You can check the universities' specific score requirements from the official website. Taking IELTS speaking mock tests regularly is important to understand the topics and helps you to achieve a higher score.
FAQs
Ques: How can I practice speaking for IELTS?
Ans: Here are some effective ways to practice speaking for IELTS: find a speaking partner, join online speaking communities, record yourself speaking by phone or computer, practice with mock tests, and focus on improving your grammar and vocabulary range.
Ques: How to get 8.5 in IELTS speaking?
Ans: Achieving an 8.5 in IELTS speaking requires near-fluency and the ability to express yourself with a wide vocabulary and complex grammar structures. You need to master fluency and coherence and develop strong pronunciation to achieve a good IELTS speaking score.
Ques: How to speak in IELTS exam?
Ans: Some key things to remember when speaking in the IELTS exam: Maintain confidence, listen carefully, avoid one-word answers, express opinions clearly, and engage with the Examiner Do not hesitate to ask clarifying questions if needed.
Ques: How to get 7.5 in IELTS speaking?
Ans: Scoring a 7.5 in IELTS speaking indicates a very good level of English proficiency. To achieve the 7.5 band you need to develop fluency, and demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary, use grammatical structures accurately, maintain clear pronunciation, and deliver well-developed answers.
Ques: Do's and Don'ts in IELTS Speaking?
Ans: You need to maintain eye contact and positive body language, speak confidently and at a moderate pace, listen carefully to the examiner's instructions and questions, and answer questions fully and elaborately. Some mistakes you need to avoid in IELTS speaking test are speaking too fast or slow, mumbling or speaking unclearly, giving one-word answers or hesitating excessively, and do not repeat the examiner's questions directly.
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