What Are The Common IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topics?

Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test will involve a discussion between you and the examiner for about 4 to 5 minutes. You will be asked to answer questions related to the part 2 topic of your test but on a broader aspect. You should expect to be asked approximately 6 questions of increasing difficulty. The questions will be more abstract or general. The format for the test is the same in Singapore and all other countries where the IELTS exam is held.

Common Topics Part Three

The topics that usually found in part 3 of the speaking test are very similar to the topics for part 2. The questions that the examiner asks you for part three will consist of two sub-topics that are closely linked to the topic that you were asked about in part 2 of the speaking test. the common topics for part 3 include:

• Education
• Family and Friends
• Foods
• Health
• Environment
• Travel
• Work and Money
• Transport
• Lifestyles and Personality
• Society
• Technology

Part 3 Sample Questions Based On Topics

I’ve compiled a small list of actual past  IELTS speaking test questions to just to give you an idea about the kind of subtopics you might across. Each of the topics for these questions fall under the main topic list for part 3.

Sample Part 3 Questions about Work and money:

Going to meetings:

1. What are the different types of meeting that people often go to?
2. Some people say that no one likes to go meetings- what do you think?

Jobs & Salaries

1. Which kinds of jobs have the highest salaries in your country? Why is this?
2. Are there any other jobs you think should have high salaries? Why do you think that?

Sample Part 3 Questions about Education:

Reading and children

1. What kinds of book are most popular with children in your country? Why do you think that is?
2. How do you think children can be encouraged to read more?

Technology and education

1. What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?
2. Do you agree or disagree that computers will replace teachers one day?

Sample Part 3 Questions about Family and friends:

Relationships between parents and children

1. How much time do children spend with their parents in your country? Do you think that is enough?
2. How important do you think spending time together is for the relationships between parents and children? Why?

Friendship:

1. What do you think makes someone a good friend to the whole family?
2. Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friend different?

Sample Part 3 Questions about Lifestyles and Personality:

Different types of homes

1. What kinds of home are most popular in your country? Why is this?
2. What do you think are the advantages of living in a house rather than an apartment?
3.  Why do some people feel they need to own things?
4. What types of things do young people in your country most want to own today? Why is this?

Advantages of being famous:
1. Do you think it is easy for famous people to earn a lot of money?

Sample Part 3 Questions about Society:

Helping other people in the community

1. What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is most important?
2. Why do you think some people like to help other people?
3. What types of voluntary work are most popular in your country?

The culture of consumerism:

1. Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?
2. Do you believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Part 3 Answers Based On The Common Topics

Lifestyles and Personalities:

Q. Why do some people feel they need to own things?

That’s actually a complicated question, honestly, I believe it stems from an inherent need for security and stability. People feel that the more they own the greater their level of success. Another point worth mentioning is that people often see their possessions as an extension of themselves. They give an impression about who we think we are and what our role is in society. That’s why I mentioned before that people use their stuff as a means to influence others opinion of themselves.

Work and Money:

Q. Which kinds of jobs have the highest salaries in your country? Why is this?

In my country, software developers, investment bankers, doctors, university professors, engineers, dentists and marketing managers receive the highest salaries. I believe the primary reason these professionals earn a huge sum of money is that those are all special kind of skills and expertise that a very small percentage of people have. A successful investment banker or a dentist in my country earns at least 5 to 10 times higher than the average wage earners.

I also believe the value of a professional depends on the profitability of the job sector. For instance, a skilled software programmer would work for a company that earns in millions and even sometimes in billions, while an expert tailor or a fashion designer often would have to work in a company that doesn’t have that type of turnover at the end of the year. So naturally, the pay gap is huge.

Society:

Q. What types of voluntary work are most popular in your country?

To be honest, I don’t actually know which one is the most popular, so I can only speculate about this.

However, I do know that such organisations exist in my country. Just off the top of my head, I can think of two. Firstly, I am aware of some organisations that take care of the elderly. Secondly, I know of some that assist prison inmates, because my grandmother volunteers there. They try to rehabilitate former inmates and help them to integrate back into society, by helping them to find jobs and get used to living within society again.

Family and Friends:

Q. How important do you think spending time together is for the relationships between parents and children? Why?
The relationship between parents and children is one of the most important in any person’s lifetime. I think it is the key factor in determining what kind of person we eventually become.  The bond between a parent and a child becomes stronger when they spend quality time together. A child who gets enough attention and care from both parents is usually happier and possesses a positive attitude to life while those who do not get enough time from their parents often grow up with depression and melancholy. So I believe that it is extremely important for families to spend enough time together.