IELTS Sandwiches? What Are You Talking About Mister

Yes, you read this right ☻ Let us explain.

If you're preparing for the IELTS Speaking test in 2025, you likely already know that Part 3 is the most challenging section. It's easy to waste time practising endless tips and IELTS Speaking test topics.

To cut through the noise, we’d like to share a simple, effective method that strengthens both Part 3 and Part 2. Once you grasp the concept, you'll notice your fluency and confidence improving almost immediately.

Recapping the IELTS Speaking test, we see that:

🔹 Part 1 is a short introduction about your life.
🔹 Part 2 requires a longer, structured talk on a given topic.
🔹 Part 3 involves discussing complex, abstract ideas with the examiner.

Now many test-takers struggle in Parts 2 and 3, often giving answers that are too brief or disorganized.

So, in this lesson, we’ll learn a method called Opinion Sandwich Technique – A simple yet powerful way to organize your thoughts. It's designed to help you give coherent responses while using the sophisticated language required for a Band 7 or higher.

We'll explore this technique through easy-to-do steps, practice with relevant IELTS Speaking test topics, and suggested model answers to guide your study.

Let’s see how this works!

In IELTS Speaking: Opinion Sandwiches are Very Relevant

When you're given a certain IELTS Speaking topic to talk about or discuss, simply think of your replies as a sandwich with three layers.

Each layer has a specific job:

🥯 Top Bread (The Direct Answer):

You start by clearly stating your opinion or acknowledging that the question is thought-provoking.

🍗 The Filling (Details and Reasons):

This is the biggest part. You explain why you have that opinion. You also look at the other side of the argument to show you understand different views.

🥯 Bottom Bread (The Summary):

You finish with a quick sentence that emphasises your main point, so the examiner knows you are done.

✔️ Using this structure helps your "Fluency and Coherence" score. This is one of the four areas you are graded on, as explained in the official IELTS Speaking criteria.

Organizing Your Answers in IELTS Speaking Part 3

In Part 3, the examiner is testing if you can:

🔎 Give long answers expressing your views without pausing too much.

🔎 Connect your ideas using connectors. (e.g., However)

🔎 Compare different situations or time periods

💡 According to the British Council's guide for Part 3, showing that you can develop a logical argument is key to reaching higher bands.

Let's Make Sandwiches with "Testy" IELTS Speaking Topics

Sorry about this tasteless "bun". Now, let’s look at few examples and phrases you can use for each layer of your answer.

🥯 Top Bread (starting your answer)

Instead of repeatedly starting with "I think," try phrases like:

"That is an interesting question. In my view..."
"Well, there are a few ways to look at this, but generally speaking..."
"I believe this is quite a common issue in modern society..."

🍗 The Filling (reasons and examples)

This is where you earn the most points. You should try to give a reason and then look at a different perspective.

Giving a reason: "The main reason for this is that..."
Adding an example: "For instance, many people in my country now prefer..."
Showing the other side: "However, I can also see why some people might disagree because..."

🥯 Bottom Bread (Ending your answer)

A strong ending shows you have control over your speech.

"So, even though there are two sides, I still believe that..."
"That is why I think the benefits are more important than the drawbacks."
"Ultimately, it depends on the specific situation, but I lean toward..."

2025 IELTS Speaking: Topics & Practice

For this lesson, we’ll target Part 3 questions. We’ve dedicated full articles covering Part 2 and Part 1 in detail.

Now, let's look at three common themes: Technology, Education, and The Environment. We will use the Opinion Sandwich for each one.

IELTS Speaking Test Topics: Technology and Society

🗿 Examiner: "Do you think people spend too much time on their smartphones today?"

🥯 Top Bread: "Yes, I definitely think that excessive phone use has become a major issue in most countries."

🍗 The Filling: "The reason is that smartphones are designed to be addictive, and we use them for everything from work to entertainment. For example, you often see people at dinner together all looking at their screens instead of talking. On the other hand, these devices allow us to stay connected with family who live far away, which is a positive thing."

🥯 Bottom Bread: "So, while phones are very useful tools, I believe most people need to find a better balance."

IELTS Speaking Test Topics: Education and Success

🗿 Examiner: "Is a university degree necessary to get a good job these days?"

🥯: "I think it depends on the industry, but generally, a degree is still very valuable."

🍗: "In fields like medicine or engineering, you absolutely need formal education for safety and legal reasons. However, in the modern digital economy, many people are successful in areas like graphic design or coding by teaching themselves online. For instance, some big tech companies now hire people based on their skills rather than their diplomas."

2025 IELTS Speaking Test Topics & Practice Questions-IELTS Speaking Part 3- Test & Score - Image 3 - Image 3

🥯: "Therefore, while a degree is helpful, it is no longer the only way to have a successful career."

IELTS Speaking Test Topics: The Environment

🗿 Examiner: "Should plastic packaging be banned completely?"

"That would be a very big change, but I think it is something we should work toward (🥯). Plastic pollution is a huge problem for the oceans and wildlife, so reducing it is necessary. But, we also have to consider that plastic is very cheap and keeps food fresh for a long time. If we ban it immediately, food prices might go up, which would hurt low-income families (🍗). In short, I support a ban, but only if we have cheap and eco-friendly alternatives ready to use (🥯)."

Useful Vocabulary and Connectors

After understanding how it works, it's always better to make your "Filling" stronger! Try variating your answers with expressions like:

Type of Word	Examples
To add more info	Furthermore, In addition, Moreover
To show contrast	On the contrary, Despite this, Nevertheless
To give a result	As a result, Therefore, Consequently
To give a condition	Unless, Provided that, As long as

💡 Feeling short on vocabulary? A great resource is the British Council's LearnEnglish. It's quite enriching—you can easily learn new words as it's organized by topics and tailored to levels from A1 to B2.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Speaking

✖️ Don't memorize your answers:

The examiner will notice if you are repeating a memorized script. Use the Sandwich technique but use your own words and natural speech based on the question.

✖️ Don't be afraid to say "I don't know":

If you don't know a fact, use the sandwich to explain why. For example: "I'm not an expert on this, but I suppose... however, some might say... so it's a difficult topic."

✖️ Don't give very short answers:

In Part 3, a "yes" or "no" is never enough. Always add the "filling" to your sandwich.

✔️ When you sit down for your test, stay calm:

If you forget a word, don't worry. Just continue with your "sandwich." The examiner is looking for your ability to communicate, not knowledge perfection.

Your Turn: More IELTS Speaking Topics & Practice Questions

Now, try to use the technique right now for these common 2025 topics:

🗣️ "Is it better for children to grow up in the city or the countryside?"

🗣️"How has the way people travel changed compared to 20 years ago?"

🗣️"Do you think famous people have a responsibility to be good role models?"

💡 Remember, there is no "right" or "wrong" opinion in IELTS. It's how well you use the English language to explain your ideas.

How to Practice IELTS Speaking Test Topics at Home

By practicing this technique every day, you will feel much more confident when you walk into the exam room. But you certainly need feedback and a lot of IELTS Speaking simulations, right? Well, Test & Score is your all-in-one platform 💎