IELTS Speaking Part 3: Topics, Questions, and Model Answers

(POV) You've practised few topics of Speaking Part 2, but now face the real challenge: the long two-way discussion of IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Don’t worry, we’ve dedicated this lesson to explore everything about Part 3 alongside its Speaking topics with answers & explanations.

In this Article, You'll Learn

✔️ How Part 3 questions are related to Part 2

✔️ 8 common IELTS Speaking topics with answers

✔️ How to answer any question using the (O+R+E) method

✔️ Model answers to help you practise given Part 3 questions

✔️ How to practise IELTS Speaking with AI interviewers

│ Quick Notes of the IELTS Speaking Test

📌 The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation lasting 11-14 minutes. It has three parts. The format is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, whether taken on a computer or in person.

📌After the introduction in Part 1, you will receive a cue card in Part 2 and have one minute to prepare a 1-2 minute talk on a given topic.

📌 This leads directly into Part 3, a 4-5 minute discussion where the examiner asks broader questions about the topic from Part 2.

For instance, if your Part 2 topic is "Describe a family member", Part 3 questions will be about wider themes like family structures.

This shift tests your ability to move from personal description to abstract discussions about common global/opinion topics.

✔️ Preparing with common IELTS speaking topics with answers builds the skills needed for this part.

│ Before Practising Part 3: Learn IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics

To practise with an organized mindset, familiarise yourself with few recycled IELTS Speaking topics that appear in Part 2 cue cards.

Part 2 Topics:

Describe a family member you spend time with

Describe a successful small business

Describe an article on health you read

Describe a crowded place you visited

Describe a performance you enjoyed

Describe a challenging thing you did

Describe a trip by public transport

Describe a person who taught you something

Describe a place that you find peaceful.

Describe a journey that didn't go as planned.

Describe an interesting hobby.

Describe a useful website.

Describe an unexpected event.

Describe your favourite shop.

│ Connecting IELTS Speaking Topics: From Part 2 to Part 3

Understanding the link between Parts 2 and 3 is key to being prepared. The examiner uses your Part 2 topic as a springboard for a deeper discussion.

The table below shows how a certain Part 2 topic leads to broader Part 3 themes, along with sample question types you can expect.

Part 2 (Long Turn)	Topic	Part 3 (Discussion)
Describe a family member you spend time with	Family	Questions about family roles or elderly care.
Describe a successful small business	Business/Work	Questions about leadership, success factors, or consumer habits.
Describe an article on health you read	Health	Questions about healthy living, lifestyles, or government responsibility.
Describe a crowded place you visited	Urban Life	Questions about city living, urban planning, or community.
Describe a performance you enjoyed	Arts/Culture	Questions about traditional arts, live vs. recorded media, or cultural importance.
Describe a challenging thing you did	Personal Development	Questions about learning, teaching methods, or life skills.
Describe a trip by public transport	Transport	Questions about transport trends, environmental impact, or future changes.
Describe a person who taught you something	The Role of Education	Questions about qualities of good teachers, lifelong learning, or educational systems.

│ How to Answer Any Question: Opinion, Reason, Example (O+R+E)

A clear structure is your best tool for a high score. The Opinion, Reason, Example (O+R+E) method ensures your answers are extended, coherent, and satisfying, especially in IELTS Speaking Part 3.

O+R+E:

Opinion: State your view clearly.
Reason: Explain why you hold that view.
Example: Support your reason with a specific illustration.

🕵🏻 Now, give it a try with the next set of Part 3 questions. Once you've finished practice, compare them with the model answers and explanations provided below.

│ Your Turn: Practise These IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

Now, how do Part 3 questions look like? Let's look at the table below. Try practising with O+R+E method and explore model answers at the bottom.

#	Part 3 Question	Part 2 Topic
Q1	How has the size of the family changed in the last few decades in your country?	Family
Q2	What does it take for a business to be successful?	Business/Work
Q3	How can people improve their health?	Health
Q4	Why do so many people move to live in cities?	Urban Life
Q5	Do you think traditional performances are important?	Arts/Culture
Q6	What makes a good student?	Personal Development
Q7	How has the internet changed the way we work?	Transport
Q8	Do you think computers will one day replace teachers in the classroom?	Education

│ Check these High Score Answers for Part 3 Questions

Q1: How has the size of the family changed in the last few decades in your country?

🗣️ Well, I'd say the typical family has definitely gotten smaller (Opinion). A major reason for this is that people move to cities for work where living space is expensive, so it's more practical to have fewer children (Reason). I've seen this in my own family—my grandparents lived with cousins and uncles, but now my sister and her husband, both professionals in an apartment, are planning for just one child (Example).

Q2: What does it take for a business to be successful?

🗣️ I think the real key is connecting with customers on a level beyond just the product. It's about identifying a specific need in your community and filling it in a way that feels personal. There's a cafe in my neighbourhood that did this perfectly—they noticed a demand for quiet workspaces and designed their shop to be a hub for freelancers. They remember your name and your usual order, which built an incredibly loyal customer base that a big chain coffee shop could never replicate.

Q3: Why do so many people move to live in cities?

🗣️ Well... it essentially comes down to a concentration of opportunity. Cities act as hubs where jobs, education, and culture are all amplified. For instance, a talented musician or a software developer might move to a metropolis because that's where the best studios, tech firms, and networks of like-minded people are, offering a career path and lifestyle that's just not available in a smaller town.

Q4: How can people improve their health?

🗣️ I believe the most effective approach is through small, sustainable changes rather than drastic overhauls. The reason is that big diets or intense workout routines are hard to maintain and often lead to giving up. For example, a person could start by swapping a sugary drink for water each day or taking the stairs instead of the lift. These minor habits, done consistently, create a foundation for long-term well-being without the pressure.

Q5: Do you think traditional performances are important?

🗣️ Absolutely, I see them as vital living history. They're not just entertainment; they are a direct link to our collective past and identity. When you watch a traditional dance or listen to folk music, you're experiencing the stories and emotions of previous generations. If we lose these art forms, we lose a part of our cultural memory, which is why efforts to preserve them, especially for young people, are so crucial.

Q6: What makes a good student?

🗣️ Beyond intelligence, I'd argue curiosity is the most important trait. A good student is someone who engages with the material, asks questions, and connects concepts to the real world. For example, instead of just memorising a historical date, they might explore why an event happened and debate its modern parallels. That active engagement leads to deeper understanding and genuine skill development, rather than just exam-passing.

Q7: How has the internet changed the way we work?

🗣️ Oh, quite the impact in my view, it's reshaped the very fabric of daily life. The most profound change is the death of distance. I can now collaborate on a project with someone on another continent as easily as with a colleague in the next room. This has transformed my own work and study. For instance, I once took an online course from a university overseas and collaborated with classmates across five time zones, something that was simply impossible a generation ago.

Q8: Do you think computers will one day replace teachers in the classroom?

🗣️ I doubt that they ever fully could. While computers are fantastic for delivering information and personalised exercises, teaching is fundamentally a human interaction. It involves mentoring, inspiration, and reading a student's confusion or boredom to adjust the approach in real time. A machine can't replicate the encouragement a great teacher gives or the life advice they impart, which often sticks with you longer than the textbook facts.

│ Practise Interactive IELT Speaking Topics with Answers & Feedback

Consistent practice is essential. That's why Test & Score strives to provide you with the closest experience to the IELTS exam.

Now, you can Sign in and enjoy a free library of full IELTS Speaking simulations with more topics & questions covering the three parts.

Head to the Speaking section and practise IELTS Speaking topics with AI interviewers. You’ll receive a detailed feedback report after each exercise on your fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation 📈 Good luck!