IELTS Speaking

Part 1 topics with vocabulary

 Topic: Your Family
Sample Questions:
 Tell me something about your family?

 Do you have a pet?

 Do you think families are important? Why?

 Who is the most favorite to you in your family?

 Do you like nuclear family or extended family? Why?

 Who does the most housework in your family?

 How do you like to enjoy your free time with your family?

 What do you think is the most important thing to make a happy family?

 How do you think that the family life is changing in your country?

 How do members of a family support each other?

Useful vocabulary:
Family unit, relatives, nuclear family, extended family, breadwinner, guardians, family trait, household
chore, family circle, adoption, upbringing, bonding, foster parents, adore, admire, enjoy the company
of, distant, affectionate, intimate

Useful idioms:
to run in the family (members of the family have the same quality)
in one’s blood (fundamental part is ingrained in that family)
to follow someone’s footsteps (achieve the same thing someone else did)
spitting image (almost identical)
the apple of one’s eye (someone’s favourite)
get along/on with (friendly relationship)
one big happy family (well together)
to have a falling out (disagreement with someone)
to rule the roost (in charge)
 Topic: Hometown/Locality
Sample Questions:
 Can you tell something about your town or village?

 What jobs do people in your town do?

 What are the main attractions in your town?

 What are the things you like to do in your town?

 How has your town changed over the last twenty years?

 What types of facilities and entertainment are there in your locality?

 What do you like most about the area where you live?

 What do you suggest to improve your locality?

 Which one do you prefer – town life or rural life?

Useful vocabulary:
urban, rural, sprawling, touristy, picturesque, charming, contemporary, bustling, attractive, dull,
lively, historical, vibrant, unique, distinctive, industrial, commercial, building complex, neighbourhood,
hometown, architecture, hustle and bustle

Useful idioms:
middle of nowhere (far from any place)
second to none (the best)
hive of activity (a place where a lot is happening)
been through the war (sign of use or damage)
clean as a whistle (something or place is immaculate)
out of town (away from the city)
run down (in bad condition)
 Topic: Shopping
Sample Questions:
 How much time do you spend for shopping every week/month?

 Do you enjoy going shopping? Why?

 Where do you like to shop mostly?

 What kind of shops are there where you live?

 What problems are there with shopping in your area?

 Do you think shopping is an important part of our life?

 What kind of things do you buy most often?

 Do you enjoy buying gifts for others?

 What’s the worst thing about going shopping?

Useful vocabulary:
luxury, grocery, essential, trolley, shopper, greengrocer, supermarket, fishmonger, chemist, butcher,
newsagent, stationer, optician, pharmacy, bookshop, delicatessen, pet-shop, flea market, tea shop, petrol
station, afford, bakery, bargain, brand, butcher, cash, cheap, clearance sale, convenience store,
credit/debit card, discount, exchange, expensive, faulty, gift voucher, label, loyalty card, luxury items,
purchase, receipt, refund, sales assistant, self-service, showroom, sophisticated, genuine

Useful idioms:
bargain hunting (buy at lowest price)
it costs an arm and a leg (very expensive)/ it costs a fortune
it’s a steal (so cheap)
it’s a good value for money (well priced)
it’s a bit pricey/ rip-off (bit expensive)
shop around (visit a number of shops)
shop till you drop (until you are exhausted)
shopping spree (lively outing)
shopping therapy (buy things that make one feel better)
splash out (costs a lot)
window shopping (browsing)
 Topic: Student/Job
Sample Questions:
• Do you work or study? What are you studying? Why did you choose this subject?
• Why did you choose this school / university?
• What would you like to do after your studies?
• What do you find most interesting about your study?
• What are your ambitions for the future?
• Can you describe your job to me?
• Why did you choose this job? How long have you been doing this job?
• What things do you like about your job? Why?
• What are your plans for the future?
Useful vocabulary:
For Study- full-time study, part-time, bookworm, distance learning, online, higher education, tuition,
intensive course, internship, public schools, classes, feedback, learn by heart, fees, lecture, theoretical,
practical, reputable, compulsory, optional, coursework, co-educational, concentrate, skill, suceed
For Work- occupation, line of work, profession, regular, part-time, employee, employer, training,
vacancy, internship, probationary period, apprentice, interview, flextime, wages, payroll, pay slip,
salary, to get a raise/a rise, overtime, shifts, team, management, hectic, exhausting, busy,
demanding, intricate

Useful idioms:
For Study- to fall behind with studies (less quickly progress), to goof around (do nothing important), to learn
something by heart (memorize), to meet a deadline (to finish something), to pass with flying colours
(excellent result), to pursue studying (continue studying), to sit an exam (take exam), to take a year out (gap
before studying)
For Work- work one’s way through (continually engaged), work one’s way into (to do the required work),
work flat out (work very hard), keep up the good work (carry on something), crunch the numbers (lot of
calculations), win-win situation (good for both sides), pull out all the stops (make a special effort), ramp up
(increase), pick up the pieces (fix a problem), a cash cow (sth that makes a lot of money), a big cheese
(important person), a dead end job (no chance of improvement), to sweat blood (work very hard), burn the
candle at both ends (work very long hours)
 Topic: Hobby/Free time
Sample Questions:
 What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

 How much time do you have each week for doing these things?

 Why do you like doing these activities?

 How did you start doing this activity at first?

 Is there some other hobby or sport you would like to try? Why?

 How has the way people spend their free time changed over the years?
Useful vocabulary:
Keen, spare time, interested, watching, listening, keeping fit, sociable, creative, fascinating,
enjoyable, relaxing, unusual, different, like, love, exciting, weekends, often,

Useful idioms:
avid sports fan (person who likes sports), history buff (fan of history), party animal (love to go to parties),
hang out (having fun), chill out (relax), feast one’s eyes on (delighted), in full swing (liveliest time), full of
the joys of spring (happy and enthusiastic), guilty pleasure (not held in high regard), life and soul of the party
(amusing person), pull someone’s leg (to tease), social butterfly (lot of friends), take it easy (to relax), get
together (meet), catch up with (latest), be into something (interested in), take a hobby up (start a new
hobby)
 Topic: Holidays/Travelling
Sample Questions:
 What do you do when you have a holiday?
 Where do you like to spend your holidays? Why?
 Can you describe a typical day in your holidays?
 Why are holidays important to you?
 If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world where would you go? Why?
 How much travelling have you done? What type of transport would you prefer?
 Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
 What places would you like to visit in the future?
Useful vocabulary:
Backpack, baggage, bicycle, camping, currency, drive, destination, embark, excursion, expedition,
explore, flight, foreign, guided tour, itinerary, leisure, luggage, mountains, park, overnight bag,
photographs, passport, postcard, safari, scenery, sight-seeing, souvenir, swimsuit, tent, ticket, tour
bus/guide, transportation, travel agent, travel bag, voyage, wander, waterfall
Useful idioms:
to hit the road (to start a journey), to catch the sun (sun burnt), to live the life (enjoy a lot), bright and early
(early in the morning), at the crack of the dawn (early), to call it a day (stop doing activity), itchy feet (need
to travel), off the beaten track (isolated and quiet), round the clock (all day and all night), a new lease of life
(burst of new energy), to get away from it all (to escape), to catch your eye (get your attention), to travel
light (to take essentials only)
 Topic: Entertainment
Sample Questions:
 Which one do you prefer – eating in restaurants or eating at home?

 Where do people go for entertainment?

 What are the best places to eat out in your country?

 What do people in your country do for entertainment?

 What kind of TV programs do you watch?

 Do you like to go to the movie theater?

 Do you enjoy weekends now more than you did when you were a child?

 What is your favorite festival and why? How do people celebrate this

festival?
Useful vocabulary:
Art gallery, cinema, restaurant, concert hall, exhibition, museum, opera, nightclub, theater, stadium,
circus, applaud, boo, conduct, exhibit, perform, go out, play, stay, gallery, screen, speaker, stage,
workshop, aisle, scenery, amuse, film, ballet, painting, pottery, drawing, sculptor, actor, composer,
audience, takeaway, ticket, flick
Useful idioms:
To be in the limelight (center of attention), to make a clown of yourself (appear foolish), the show must go
on (activity must continue), to run the show (to be in charge of), to sing your heart out (sing with intensity),
to steal the show (win the greatest praise), the class clown (pupil who pokes fun), a show stopper (provokes
strong reaction), full of beans (with full spirit),
 Topic: Transport
Sample Questions:
 Which transport did you use to come to the examination centre today?

 What types of public transport are there in your city/country?

 What types of transport do you use regularly?

 Can you make some suggestions to improve the transport system in your

country?
 Do you think people should use the public transport more? Why?

 What are the eco-friendly transports?

 Do you think electric cars can save the environment from pollution?
Useful vocabulary:
Underground, subway, passenger, rush hour, pedestrian, crowded, fast, slow-moving, traffic, get
off/on, queue, transit, check in, pay cash, credit card, departure, arrival, luggage, baggage, security,
flight, boarding pass, delayed, aisle, lounge, station, journey, commuter, route, lane, travel card,
season ticket,
Useful idioms:
To hit the road (to begin a journey), to be in the same boat (be in the same situation), drive someone up the
wall (to annoy somebody), to rock the boat (makes other upset), off the beaten track (where few people go),
to get on your bike (to get moving), back end of a bus (be really ugly), drive a hard bargain (expect a lot),
flight of fancy (imagination), take flight (to run away), top flight (highest level), end of the line (end of
process), port of call (short stop over), go off the rails (dishonest behaviour), down the road (sometime in
the future),
 Topic: Sports
Sample Questions:
 What are the most popular sports in your country?

 What sports and games did you most enjoy playing when you were a

child?
 Do you like indoor sports or outdoor sports?

 Do you think sports and games are beneficial for our health?

 What is your most favorite sport and why?

Useful vocabulary:
Amateur, athlete, award, beat, champion, cheer on, coach, compete, contest, course, defeat,
defend, event, fan, field, final score, fitness, gym, half-time, judge, league, leisure, manager,
medal, offside, opponent, perform, physique, professional, record, rules, score, serve, skill,
spectator, strategy, tackle, talent, teamwork, trainer, trophy, victory

Useful idioms:
call the shots (to be in charge), down to the wire (very last moment), hit the target (achieve what’s
expected), take sides (join a side), get the ball rolling (get something started), ball is in someone’s court
(someone’s decision), bark up the wrong tree (got the wrong person), front runner (expected to win), get a
head start (start before all), get off the hook (escape), give it a best shot (try the hardest), hold all the aces
(expected to win), hot shot (important person), keep one’s head above water (struggling), learn the ropes
(understand new things), long shot (difficult to achieve), shot in the dark (guess), settle a score (get even),
skate on thin ice (risky), take the bull by the horns (accept the challenge), throw in the towel (give up), time
out (break), win hands down (easy victory)
 Topic: Friends
Sample Questions:
• How much time do you spend with your friends?
• How would you like to spend your free time with friends?
• Do you give suggestions or take advice from your friends?
• Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends?
• Is friendship important to you?
Useful vocabulary:
moral, two-faced, companion, acquaintance, mate, pal, adore, loyal, easy-going, trust, enjoy,
share, understand, fun, laugh, mutual, amiable, emotional, caring

Useful idioms:
a shoulder to cry on (someone who listens), bosom friends (closest friends), fair-weather friend (opportunity
seeking friends), close-knit (very close), friends in high places (having important friends), strike up a
friendship (become friends), through thick and thin (at good and bad times), to be on the same page
(agreement with someone), to build bridges (promote friendship), to bury a hatchet (finish conflict), to
clear the air (finish tension with someone), to know someone inside out (know very well), see eye to eye (to
agree), can’t stand someone (hate), to be well-matched (similar to somebody), to drift apart (become less
close), to keep in touch (maintain contact), ups and downs (good and bad things)
 Topic: Buildings
Sample Questions:
• What types of buildings are there where you live?
• Do you live in a modern building?
• Do you prefer old or new buildings?
• Are historical buildings important where you live?
• Do you think we should protect old building?
Useful vocabulary:
Cottage, detached, block of flats, office, factory, tower, bungalow, terraced houses, high-rise flat,
skyscraper, castle, windmill, balcony, chimney, garage, window, roof, porch, wall, fort, palace,
glass-house, cabin, barn, guest-house, duplex, flat, story, resort, elegant, contemporary, construct,
demolish, renovate, residence

Useful idioms:
Castle in the air (impractical plan), darken someone’s door (unwanted visit), from pillar to post (from one
place to another), hit a wall (stop progress), hit the roof (angry), window dressing (intended disguise), to
be in the doghouse (to be in trouble), house of cards (poorly planned), on the house (provided free), to be a
tower of strength (strong support)
 Topic: Music
Sample Questions:
 What type of music do you like most? Why?

 What types of music are popular in your country?

 Do you like live music or recorded music? Why?

 Do you think that the popular music trend has changed over the years?

 Do you think that the modern music is more captivating?

Useful vocabulary:
Artist, classical, country, folk music, genre, harmony, lyrics, melody, pop, rhythm, traditional,
accent, ballad, choir, concert, modern, enjoy, live

Useful idioms:
Elevator music (boring), sound like a broken record (repeats the same thing), blow your own trumpet
(proudly boasting), music to my ears (good news), face the music (accept unpleasant consequences), as fit
as a fiddle (be in good health), blow the whistle (reporting), call the tune (making important decision), chin
music (meaningless talk), dance to someone’s tune (follow someone’s directions), it takes two to tango
(share the blame), sing a different tune (change opinion), whistle in the dark (unrealistically confident),
 Topic: Reading
Sample Questions:
 Do you enjoy reading? Why?

 What types of books do you read most?

 What is your favorite book? Tell me something about this book.

 What are the benefits of reading books?

Useful vocabulary:
Author, bookstore, empathy, favorite, fiction, imagination, joy, magazines, scan, skim, gripping,
spine-tingling, poignant, engrossed, addictive, futuristic, inspirational, intense, tear-jerking, thought-
provoking, plot, chapter

Useful idioms:
a closed book (very little known), book smart (knowledge from reading), bookworm (keen reader), every
trick in the book (all available methods), read my lips (listen carefully), to hit the books (to study), from
cover to cover (start to finish), a real page turner (really interesting), to flick through (look quickly), to read
between the lines (understand the hidden meanings), to know like a book (know something well)
 Topic: Clothing
Sample Questions:
• What types of clothes do you like wearing?
• Where do you usually buy your clothes?
• Do you like fashionable clothes?
• Did you wear a uniform when you go for work or study?
• What is the importance of uniform?
• Do you think clothes can change a person’s mood?
Useful vocabulary:
Elegant, stylish, garment, trend, boutique, fashion, flip-flop, vest

Useful idioms:
buckle down (work extra hard), fit like a glove (fit perfectly), keep something zipped (keeping secret), wolf
in sheep’s clothing (cruel person),