IELTS Speaking questions
IELTS® Speaking questions for September–December 2026
All 85 Part 2 cue cards and 55 Part 1 topics this season, sorted by type. 9 stories cover every card, so you prepare 9 answers, not 85.
At a glance
This season in numbers
| Season | September–December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part 2 cue cards | 85: 40 new this season, 45 retained from May–August |
| By type | 23 people, 29 events, 19 objects, 14 places |
| Part 1 | 55 topics, 258 questions |
| Stories | 9 stories that between them cover all 85 cards |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Part 2
Part 2 cue cards
Each card opens a page with what to say, three angles you can take, five expressions and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
People23
- NewDescribe a person you know who did something difficult and was successful.
- NewDescribe a happy person you know.
- NewDescribe a person you know who is very organised.
- NewDescribe a person you know who really likes taking photos.
- NewDescribe someone older than you that you admire.
- NewDescribe a person who is good at making things by hand.
- NewDescribe a person who studies history and loves it.
- NewDescribe a person who taught you a new skill.
- NewDescribe a popular person.
- NewDescribe a successful sportsperson you admire.
- NewDescribe a person whose health and fitness you have helped to improve.
- RetainedDescribe a person who loves growing plants at home or in a garden.
- RetainedDescribe a friend from your childhood.
- RetainedDescribe a person you know who would like to work in the medical field.
- RetainedDescribe a person you know who has a successful business.
- RetainedDescribe a person who is good at learning and speaking new languages.
- RetainedDescribe a person who solved a problem in a smart way.
- RetainedDescribe a person who met difficulties but succeeded.
- RetainedDescribe a person who often helps others.
- NewDescribe a famous person in your local area.
- NewDescribe a person you only met once recently and want to know more about.
- NewDescribe a person you know who did something to improve his or her health and fitness.
- RetainedDescribe a person who works in a successful company.
Events29
- NewDescribe an important decision you made and were happy with the result.
- NewDescribe a time you watched a famous person being interviewed.
- NewDescribe a time when you saved money to buy something special.
- NewDescribe a new skill you learned as a child.
- NewDescribe a time when someone talked about something you were not interested in but you kept listening.
- NewDescribe a time when you received good service in a shop.
- NewDescribe an enjoyable evening you spent with friends.
- NewDescribe an activity you do regularly that you think is a waste of time.
- NewDescribe a party for a special event that impressed you.
- NewDescribe a time when you helped someone.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you got up early.
- RetainedDescribe a plan that you had to change recently.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you worked in a group.
- RetainedDescribe an important decision that you made.
- RetainedDescribe a challenging technological problem you faced.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you sent a message or an email to someone but received no reply for a long time.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you changed an important opinion.
- RetainedDescribe a change you made recently.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you had a problem using an electronic device.
- RetainedDescribe a special day out that cost you little money/didn't cost you much.
- NewDescribe a time when you changed an important decision of yours.
- NewDescribe a course that impressed you a lot.
- NewDescribe a time when you interviewed a famous person.
- RetainedDescribe a thing you did to learn another language.
- NewDescribe an occasion that you lost something in public.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you organised a happy event successfully.
- NewDescribe a way or change that helps you save a lot of time.
- RetainedDescribe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam for a very long time.
- RetainedDescribe a bicycle/motorcycle/car trip you would like to go on.
Objects19
- NewDescribe your least favourite movie.
- NewDescribe an exciting book that you enjoyed reading.
- RetainedDescribe an interesting video you watched.
- RetainedDescribe a new law you would like to introduce in your country.
- RetainedDescribe a live sports event you watched and enjoyed.
- RetainedDescribe a food that people eat on special occasions.
- RetainedDescribe an advertisement with a famous person in it.
- RetainedDescribe a story or book with animals in it.
- RetainedDescribe a law on environmental protection.
- RetainedDescribe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.
- RetainedDescribe an environmental law you would like your country to introduce.
- RetainedDescribe a piece of local news that people are interested in.
- RetainedDescribe a program or app on your computer or phone.
- NewDescribe something that you can't live without (not a computer/phone).
- NewDescribe a gift you would like to buy for your friend.
- RetainedDescribe a piece of technology (not a phone) that you would like to own.
- RetainedDescribe a perfect job you would like to have in the future.
- RetainedDescribe a special cake you received from others.
- RetainedDescribe a programme you like to watch.
Places14
- NewDescribe a noisy place you have been to.
- NewDescribe a natural place in your city that you enjoy visiting.
- NewDescribe a crowded place that you have visited.
- NewDescribe a short trip you often take but do not like.
- NewDescribe a building you enjoy visiting.
- RetainedDescribe a tall building you like or dislike.
- RetainedDescribe a boring place you have been to.
- RetainedDescribe a place you have travelled to that you would recommend to others.
- RetainedDescribe a home you like to visit but would not want to live in.
- RetainedDescribe a place you would like to visit in your free time.
- NewDescribe somewhere near a natural place that you have been to.
- RetainedDescribe a quiet place you like to go.
- NewDescribe a city that you have been to and would like to visit again.
- RetainedDescribe an important river/lake in your country.
Stories
Prepare 9 stories, not 85 answers
Most cards can be answered with the same few real experiences. Each story below fits the cards listed under it.
An older relative who shaped you
A grandparent, aunt or uncle: what they taught you, what they make or grow, what they got through.
Fits 11 cards
- An older person you admire
- Someone who taught you a skill
- A skill you learned as a child
- Someone good at making things
- Someone who loves growing plants
- A happy person
- Someone who loves history
- Someone who overcame difficulties
- Someone who did something difficult
- A food for special occasions
- A home you'd visit but not live in
Deciding to study abroad
Why you are taking IELTS: the choice, who you talked to, what you gave up, how you are preparing.
Fits 12 cards
- An important decision you made
- A decision you were happy with
- A long-term goal
- A time you changed an opinion
- A change you made recently
- A plan you had to change
- Saving up for something special
- Listening to a topic you didn't like
- A time you got up early
- Changing an important decision
- Something you did to learn a language
- A change that saves time
A close friend and a night out
A friend since school: what they are like, a birthday or a night you spent together, a time you helped them.
Fits 15 cards
- A childhood friend
- A popular person
- Someone who loves taking photos
- A very organised person
- A fun evening with friends
- A party that impressed you
- A time you helped someone
- Someone you helped get fit
- A live sports event you enjoyed
- An inexpensive day out
- A gift for a friend
- Someone who helps others
- Someone you only met once
- An event you organised successfully
- A special cake you received
A film, book or video with a strong reaction
One you loved and one you hated, where you watched it and with whom, the moment that stayed with you.
Fits 10 cards
A driven classmate or colleague
Someone with a clear goal: what they want to become, how they study or work, a problem they solved.
Fits 15 cards
- Someone who wants a medical career
- A good language learner
- A successful businessperson
- A smart problem-solver
- A very organised person
- A time you worked in a group
- Someone who did something difficult
- Someone who overcame difficulties
- An app you use
- Something you cannot live without
- A memorable course
- A local celebrity
- Technology you would like to own
- Your ideal job
- Someone at a successful company
A trip that went wrong
A commute or short trip: the early start, the phone that died, the message nobody answered, what you did instead.
Fits 12 cards
A green spot in your city
A park or riverside you go to: who you go with, what you do there, a rule that keeps it clean or should.
Fits 12 cards
- A natural place in your city
- A place worth recommending
- A law on environmental protection
- An environmental law you would like
- A new law you would like
- A piece of local news
- A time you got up early
- Someone you helped get fit
- A place to visit in your free time
- Somewhere near a natural place
- A quiet place you like
- An important river or lake
A busy street or market
A shopping street, mall or night market: the noise and crowds, a building you notice, something you saved up for there.
Fits 7 cards
A sports star you follow
An athlete you admire: how you found out about them, a match you watched, an ad or interview they did.
Fits 8 cards
Part 1
Part 1 topics
Core topics come up in almost every test. The rest are new or retained this season.
Core4
Work or studies6 questions
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What do you like most about your job or your studies?
- Why did you choose that job or that subject?
- What is a typical day like for you at work or at school?
- What do you find most challenging about your work or your studies?
- What would you like to be doing in your career or studies in a few years?
Home and accommodation6 questions
- Do you live in a house or a flat?
- Who do you live with?
- Which room in your home do you like best?
- What do you usually do at home in the evenings?
- How is your home different from the one you lived in as a child?
- What kind of home would you like to have in the future?
Hometown6 questions
- Where is your hometown?
- What is your hometown best known for?
- What do you like most about your hometown?
- What do people in your hometown usually do at the weekend?
- How has your hometown changed since you were a child?
- Would you like to live in your hometown in the future?
The area you live in6 questions
- What is the area where you live like?
- How long have you lived there?
- What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
- What facilities are there near where you live?
- What would you improve about your area if you could?
- How has your area changed over the last few years?
New21
Travelling5 questions
- How often do you travel?
- Who do you usually travel with?
- What kind of places do you like to visit?
- Where did you go on holiday when you were a child?
- Where would you most like to travel in the future?
Rubbish and recycling5 questions
- Do you recycle at home?
- What kinds of things do you throw away most often?
- How do people in your area sort their rubbish?
- What did you learn about recycling when you were younger?
- How have people's attitudes to rubbish changed in recent years?
Tiredness5 questions
- When do you usually feel tired?
- What do you usually do when you feel tired?
- How does tiredness affect your work or studies?
- What used to make you tired when you were a child?
- Why do you think so many people feel tired these days?
Shoes5 questions
- What kind of shoes do you wear most often?
- How often do you buy new shoes?
- Which matters more to you in a pair of shoes, comfort or style?
- What kind of shoes did you wear as a child?
- How has your taste in shoes changed over the years?
Politeness5 questions
- How do people in your country show politeness?
- Who taught you to be polite when you were a child?
- What kind of behaviour do you find rude?
- Why is it important to be polite to strangers?
- How have people's manners changed compared with the past?
Fruit and vegetables5 questions
- What is your favourite fruit?
- How often do you eat vegetables?
- Which vegetables did you dislike as a child?
- Where do you usually buy fruit and vegetables?
- How has the way people buy fruit and vegetables changed?
Advertisements5 questions
- Where do you see adverts most often?
- What kind of adverts do you enjoy watching?
- Have you ever bought something because of an advert?
- Which advert do you remember from your childhood?
- How have adverts changed over the past few years?
Paper5 questions
- How often do you use paper in your daily life?
- Do you prefer reading on paper or on a screen?
- What did you use paper for most when you were at school?
- What do you do with paper you no longer need?
- How do you think our use of paper will change in the future?
Secondary school5 questions
- What was your secondary school like?
- What was your favourite subject at secondary school?
- How did you usually spend your breaks at school?
- Do you still keep in touch with your classmates from secondary school?
- How are secondary schools today different from when you were there?
Names5 questions
- Who chose your name?
- Does your name have a special meaning?
- How do you feel about your name?
- What did your friends call you when you were a child?
- How have popular names for babies changed in your country?
Opportunities5 questions
- Do you usually take an opportunity when it comes along?
- How do you find out about new opportunities?
- What is one good opportunity you had when you were younger?
- Why do some people miss good opportunities?
- What kind of opportunity would you like to have in the next few years?
Feeling bored5 questions
- When do you usually feel bored?
- What do you do when you feel bored?
- How did you deal with boredom as a child?
- Is it ever good to feel bored?
- Why do people today seem to get bored more easily?
Collecting things4 questions
- Do you collect things?
- Are there any things you have kept from your childhood?
- Would you keep old things for a long time? Why?
- Where do you usually keep things you need?
Computers and tablets4 questions
- Would you like to use a computer or tablet?
- In what conditions would you use a computer or tablet?
- When was the first time you used a computer or tablet?
- What would your life be like without computers or tablets?
Days off4 questions
- What do you usually do on your days off?
- Do you prefer spending a day off alone or with friends?
- When did you last have a day off?
- What would you like to do if you had a whole day free?
Dreams4 questions
- Can you remember the dreams you had?
- Do you share your dreams with others?
- Do you think dreams have special meanings?
- Have you ever had the same dream more than once?
Friends4 questions
- Is there a difference between where you meet friends now and where you used to meet them in the past?
- Why are some places suitable for meeting while others are not?
- Do you prefer to spend time with one friend or with a group of friends?
- Would you invite friends to your home?
Lost and found4 questions
- What will you do if you find something lost by others?
- Do you report to the police when finding something lost by others? Why?
- Have you ever lost things?
- Will you post on social media if you lose your item?
Flowers and plants4 questions
- Do you keep any plants at home?
- Did you learn how to grow plants when you were a child?
- Have you ever given someone flowers?
- Would you like to have a garden in the future?
Punctuality4 questions
- Are you a punctual person?
- Do you think being on time is important?
- How do you feel when others are late?
- How do you remind yourself to be on time?
Street markets4 questions
- What do people usually buy on the street market?
- Do you prefer to go shopping in the shopping mall or on the street market?
- When was the last time you went to a street market?
- Are there many street markets in China?
Retained30
The city you live in6 questions
- Which city do you live in now?
- What do you like most about living in this city?
- What is the best way to get around your city?
- Where would you take a friend who was visiting your city?
- How has your city changed over the past ten years?
- Where would you like to live in the future, in this city or somewhere else?
Music5 questions
- What kind of music do you like?
- When do you usually listen to music?
- Did you learn to play an instrument as a child?
- How do you usually discover new music?
- How has your taste in music changed over the years?
Teachers5 questions
- Who was your favourite teacher when you were at school?
- What makes someone a good teacher?
- Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
- What kind of teacher do you learn best from?
- How has the way teachers teach changed since you were a child?
Social media5 questions
- Which social media apps do you use most?
- How much time do you spend on social media each day?
- What do you usually post online?
- When did you first start using social media?
- How do you think social media will change in the future?
Tidiness5 questions
- Are you a tidy person?
- How often do you tidy your room?
- Who kept your room tidy when you were a child?
- How do you feel when your desk is messy?
- How have your tidying habits changed as you've got older?
Websites5 questions
- Which websites do you visit most often?
- What makes a website easy to use?
- Which website did you use a lot when you were younger?
- Have you ever made your own website?
- How have websites changed compared with ten years ago?
Watches5 questions
- Do you wear a watch?
- What kind of watches do you like?
- When did you get your first watch?
- Why do some people still wear a watch when they have a phone?
- What do you think watches will be like in the future?
Shopping5 questions
- Do you enjoy shopping?
- Do you prefer shopping online or in shops?
- What was the last thing you bought?
- Who did you go shopping with when you were a child?
- How have people's shopping habits changed in recent years?
Cars5 questions
- Do you have a car?
- How do you usually get around your city?
- What kind of car would you like to own?
- What do you remember about car journeys as a child?
- How do you think cars will change in the future?
Public gardens and parks5 questions
- How often do you go to parks?
- What do you like to do in a park?
- Is there a park near your home?
- What did you do in parks when you were a child?
- How have the parks in your city changed in recent years?
Science5 questions
- Did you like science at school?
- Which area of science interests you the most?
- How does science affect your daily life?
- What science programmes or videos do you enjoy?
- What scientific discovery would you like to see in the future?
Mirrors5 questions
- How often do you look in the mirror each day?
- Do you like having lots of mirrors at home?
- Why do some shops and restaurants have so many mirrors?
- How did you feel about looking in the mirror as a teenager?
- How have phone cameras changed the way people use mirrors?
Outer space and stars5 questions
- Do you like looking at the stars?
- How often can you see stars where you live?
- What did you learn about space when you were a child?
- What would you most like to know about outer space?
- How do you think space travel will change in the future?
Singing5 questions
- Do you like singing?
- When do you usually sing?
- What songs did you sing when you were a child?
- Where do people in your country usually sing for fun?
- How popular is karaoke now compared with the past?
Clothing5 questions
- What kind of clothes do you usually wear?
- Do you prefer comfortable clothes or fashionable ones?
- Who chose your clothes when you were a child?
- How often do you buy new clothes?
- How has the way people dress changed in recent years?
Jokes and comedy5 questions
- Do you like telling jokes?
- What kind of comedy do you enjoy?
- Who is the funniest person you know?
- What made you laugh when you were a child?
- Why do you think comedy shows are so popular these days?
Headphones5 questions
- How often do you use headphones?
- What do you usually listen to with your headphones?
- Which do you prefer, big headphones or small earbuds?
- When did you get your first pair of headphones?
- How have headphones changed over the years?
Art4 questions
- Do you like art?
- Do you like visiting art galleries?
- Do you want to be an artist?
- Do you like modern art or traditional art?
Dreams and ambitions4 questions
- What was your childhood dream?
- Are you the kind of person who sticks to dreams?
- What is your dream job?
- Do you think you are an ambitious person?
Evening time4 questions
- What do you hate doing in the evening?
- Do you like the morning or evening?
- What do you usually do in the evening?
- What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why?
Films and cinemas4 questions
- How often do you watch films?
- Do you prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?
- What films do you like?
- Did you often watch films when you were a child?
Food4 questions
- What is your favourite food?
- What kind of food did you like when you were young?
- Do you eat different foods at different times of the year?
- Has your favourite food changed since you were a child?
History4 questions
- Did you like history when you were young?
- When was the last time you read about history?
- Do you like history?
- Have you ever been to historical museums?
Hobbies4 questions
- Do you have any hobbies?
- Did you have any hobbies when you were a child?
- Do you have a hobby that you've had since childhood?
- Do you have the same hobbies as your family members?
Morning time4 questions
- Do you like to get up early in the morning?
- What is your morning routine?
- Is breakfast important?
- What do you do right after getting up in the morning?
Old buildings4 questions
- Have you ever seen old buildings in the city?
- Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities?
- Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?
- Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why?
Reading4 questions
- Do you like reading?
- Do you prefer to read on paper or on a screen?
- When do you need to read carefully, and when not?
- Do you prefer scanning or detailed reading?
Sports programmes4 questions
- Do you like watching sports programs on TV?
- Do you like to watch live sports games?
- Who do you like to watch sports games with?
- What kinds of games do you expect to watch in the future?
Team sports4 questions
- Have you ever been part of a sports team?
- Are team sports popular in your culture?
- Do you like watching team games? Why?
- What are the differences between team sports and individual sports?
Typing4 questions
- Do you prefer typing or handwriting?
- Do you type on a desktop or laptop keyboard every day?
- When did you learn how to type on a keyboard?
- How do you improve your typing?
Source
How this list is made
IELTS doesn’t publish its question bank. This list is built from what test takers report after their tests, and each card is checked against several independent sources. Cards use the wording test takers report; the ideas, phrases and sample answers are written by Ashore.
It was last checked on 13 October 2026. Banks usually change in January, May and September, so check the date before you rely on it.
No list is guaranteed. Prepare stories you can bend to any card rather than memorising 85 answers.