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IELTS Speaking topics 2026

Draw a cue card, prepare for a minute and speak for two, as in the exam. Every card has a band-8 sample answer and its Part 3 questions, and the full list of topics is below.

Speaking topic generator

  1. Furniture

    1. What furniture do you have in your room?
    2. Which piece of furniture is the most important to you?
    3. Do you prefer modern furniture or old furniture?
    4. Have you ever bought furniture online?
    5. Would you like to change the furniture in your home?

  2. Watches and clocks

    1. Do you wear a watch?
    2. How often do you check the time?
    3. Do you have a clock at home?
    4. Was there a special watch or clock in your family when you were a child?
    5. Do you think people are too busy to take time?

  3. Bags

    1. What kind of bag do you usually carry?
    2. What do you keep in your bag?
    3. Do you have a favourite bag?
    4. Do you prefer a small bag or a large one?
    5. How often do you buy a new bag?

Answer each question in 2–3 sentences, about 20–30 seconds. Give a reason or a short example, then stop.

Part 2 cue cards by category

People

Places

Objects

Experiences

Events

Activities

Books, films and media

Ideas and decisions

Plans and wishes

Part 1 topics A–Z

How Parts 1, 2 and 3 connect

The Speaking test takes 11–14 minutes, face to face with an examiner. Part 1 is short questions about you and familiar topics. Part 2 is the cue card: one minute to prepare, then up to two minutes alone. Part 3 is a discussion that takes the cue card's subject to a wider, more abstract level.

So the card and Part 3 belong together. If your card is about a teacher who influenced you, expect Part 3 questions about education and what makes a good teacher.

How to practice with a timer

Use the minute to choose what to talk about and to note two or three words for each point. When the chime sounds, speak until the second chime, even if you run out of ideas: say more about why, give an example, compare then and now.

Record yourself and listen for long pauses, repeated words and the point where you ran out of things to say. Answer the Part 3 questions before you read the band-8 answer.

Our guides go through each part step by step:

Frequently asked questions

What are the topics for IELTS Speaking?

Part 1 asks about familiar things: your work or studies, your home, daily routine, food, free time, technology. Part 2 cue cards ask you to describe a person, a place, an object, an event, an experience or a plan. Part 3 discusses the cue card's subject more broadly.

The topics change through the year, but these families stay the same, so practicing a few cards from each family prepares you for almost any card you get.

What are the 42 topics for IELTS Speaking Part 1?

There is no official list of 42 topics. Lists with that number collect topics that candidates often report. The examiner always starts with your work or studies or your home, then asks about two or three everyday topics. The Part 1 topics are listed A–Z above.

Is IELTS Speaking getting harder in 2026?

No. The format, timing and marking criteria are the same: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, each worth a quarter of the band. Only the topics change, and the pool is refreshed in January, May and September.

Are these real IELTS exam questions?

No. Real test questions are confidential. These are topics that candidates often report, written in our own words in the exam's format.

How long should I speak in IELTS Speaking Part 2?

Up to two minutes. The examiner stops you at two minutes, so aim to still be talking then. Under a minute and a half usually costs fluency marks, because it suggests you could not develop the topic.

Can I use notes in Part 2?

Yes. You get paper and a pencil for the minute of preparation and can look at your notes while you speak. Stick to key words: there is no time to write or read full sentences.

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