Top 10 Popular Topics for IELTS Speaking Parts 1-3: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated August 2025

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test in 2025 means getting familiar with the topics that come up most often in Parts 1, 2, and 3. While the test format hasn’t changed, the themes have evolved to reflect global trends like AI, remote work, sustainability, and mental health awareness.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the top 10 most common IELTS Speaking topics in 2025, share tips for answering them, and explain how to use these topics to boost your fluency, vocabulary, and confidence.

1. Family and Relationships

Still a staple in Part 1, this topic focuses on describing your family, their personalities, and the role relationships play in your culture. In 2025, expect occasional questions about changing family structures and digital communication in relationships.

For example:

Who do you spend the most time with in your family?
How has technology affected family communication?

See more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Family and Relationships" topic.

2. Hobbies and Leisure Activities

In Part 1 and Part 2, you may be asked about your hobbies, interests, or preferred leisure activities. Discuss your favorite pastimes, explain why you enjoy them, and elaborate on any related experiences or benefits. In 2025, you might also be asked to compare traditional hobbies with modern digital activities like gaming, content creation, or streaming.

For example:

What hobbies are popular in your country right now?
Do you think people have less free time now than before?

Explore more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Hobbies and Leisure Activities" topic.

3. Education and Studies

Education-related topics frequently appear in all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test. Be ready to talk about your school experiences, subjects of interest, or your future educational goals. Provide examples and elaborate on the impact of education in your life. Beyond school experiences, Part 2 and 3 may cover online learning, AI in education, or skills for the future workplace.

For example:

How has online education changed the way people learn?
What skills do you think will be important in the future?

See more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Hobbies and Leisure Activities" topic.

4. Travel and Tourism

Travel and tourism are popular topics in Part 2 and Part 3. Discuss your travel experiences, favorite destinations, or cultural differences you encountered while traveling. Talk about the benefits of traveling and the impact it has on personal growth. In 2025, expect more questions on sustainable tourism, eco-conscious travel, and post-pandemic travel trends.

For example:

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
How can tourism be more eco-friendly?

See more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Travel and Tourism" topic.

5. Technology, AI and Communication

With the increasing influence of technology, questions related to technology and communication are common in all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test. Be prepared to talk about artificial intelligence, social media trends, and virtual reality alongside more traditional questions about gadgets and online communication.

For example:

How has AI changed the way people work or study?
Do you think technology brings people closer together?

See more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Technology and Communication" topic.

6. Environment and Conservation

Environmental issues and conservation are significant global concerns. Expect questions related to climate change, pollution, recycling, and sustainability. Express your opinions on these topics and suggest practical solutions to address environmental challenges.

For example:

What environmental issues are most urgent in your country?
How can people reduce their carbon footprint?

See more Sample Questions and Answers for the IELTS Speaking Exam on the "Environment and Conservation" topic

7. Work and Careers

Part 1 and Part 3 often feature questions about work and careers. Discuss your current job, future aspirations, workplace culture, or challenges in the job market. Explore the significance of choosing a fulfilling career path and the impact it can have on personal satisfaction.

For example:

What are the pros and cons of working from home?
How might AI change your job in the future?

Here are some examples of questions and answers on the "Work and Careers" topic.

8. Arts and Culture

In Part 2, you may be asked to talk about art forms, cultural events, or your favorite artist. Express your opinions about different forms of art, discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and delve into the role of art in society. In 2025, in addition to traditional art and culture, expect more focus on global cultural exchange, media influence, and preserving identity in a globalized world.

For example:

How do cultural events help bring communities together?
Is traditional art still relevant today?

Here are some examples of questions and answers on the "Arts and Culture" topic.

9. Health and Fitness

Health and fitness are topics that commonly arise in Part 1 and Part 3. Discuss healthy lifestyle choices, exercise routines, the importance of balanced diets, or the impact of stress on our well-being. Share personal experiences and provide tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In 2025, this is a growing theme, with more emphasis on mental health awareness, holistic lifestyles, and stress management.

For example:

What’s the best way to manage stress?
Do you think people today live healthier lives than in the past?

Here are some examples of questions and answers on the "Health and Fitness" topic.

10. Social Issues

Part 3 often delves into social issues such as poverty, equality, immigration, or youth-related challenges, climate migration, AI ethics, youth unemployment. Develop well-rounded perspectives on these topics, analyze the causes and effects, and propose potential solutions to address these societal concerns.

For example:

How can societies reduce income inequality?
What are the risks of using AI in everyday life?

Here are some examples of questions and answers on the "Social Issues" topic.

IELTS Speaking exam structure

To give you a better understanding of the structure of the IELTS Speaking exam, let’s go over a sample set of IELTS speaking topics:

Part 1: Introduction and General Questions

Can you tell me your full name?
Where are you from?
What do you do for a living?
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
What is your favorite color and why?
How often do you exercise?
Do you enjoy cooking? Why or why not?
What kind of music do you like?
How do you usually spend your weekends?
Have you ever traveled abroad? Where did you go?

Part 2: Cue Card/Individual Long Turn

Describe a memorable holiday you had:

Where did you go?
Who did you go with?
What did you do there?
Why was it memorable for you?

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Do you think people should travel more? Why or why not?
How do you think technology has changed the way people travel?
What are the benefits of traveling to different countries and experiencing different cultures?
How can traveling contribute to personal growth and development?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone versus traveling in a group?
How do you think tourism impacts the environment?
In what ways can governments promote sustainable tourism?
How can travelers respect and appreciate the local culture and customs of the places they visit?
What are some potential challenges that tourists might face when traveling to a foreign country?
How do you think the tourism industry can recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Please note that these questions are just examples, and the actual questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test may vary. It is advisable to practice answering a wide range of questions related to various topics to be fully prepared for the test.

A solid understanding of the most popular topics for the IELTS Speaking Parts 1-3 is vital for success in the exam. By familiarizing yourself with speaking topics, practicing relevant vocabulary, and developing coherent responses, you'll be well-equipped to handle any question that comes your way.
Remember to engage in regular practice sessions and simulate the IELTS exam conditions with mock tests. What if we told you that practicing for the IELTS speaking test has never been easier?

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NEW: 2025 Trends in IELTS Speaking

Here’s what’s noticeably different for test-takers in 2025:

AI-Related Questions Are Mainstream – From AI tools in daily life to automation in the workplace, expect to be asked how these changes affect people’s lives.
Mental Health Awareness – Examiners are more likely to ask about stress management, work–life balance, and healthy lifestyles.
Sustainability as a Cross-Topic Theme – Even travel, work, and lifestyle questions may have a sustainability angle.
Remote & Hybrid Work Culture – The shift to flexible work environments is a common discussion point.
Digital vs. Traditional – Whether it’s learning, hobbies, or communication, you may be asked to compare old vs. new methods.
Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Changes – Subtle but still present, particularly in travel, health, and work questions.

💡 Tip: Bring in recent, real-life examples to make your answers fresh and relevant. For example, talk about a sustainable travel initiative in your city or a new AI tool you use for learning.