Part 3: Content (British Council Academic IELTS: Speaking): Study Material

Part 3: content

Overview

• Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test is a two-way discussion with the examiner

• It lasts between four and five minutes

• In Part 3, the examiner will ask you questions related to the topic of Part 2, but they will be more abstract and wide-ranging

• It moves beyond personal experience to more general world issues

• You may be asked to do some or all of the following:

  • give your opinions

  • compare and contrast ideas

  • make predictions about the future

  • evaluate causes or effects

• The examiner will ask follow-up questions and challenge your opinions

Typical topics

• Common Part 3 topics include:

  • Technology and the Internet: The impact of social media on communication, artificial intelligence in the workplace, and how the internet has changed shopping habits

  • Education: The role of technology in classrooms, the value of university degrees versus vocational skills, and the qualities of a good teacher

  • Society and family: Changes in family structures over generations, the government's role in supporting the elderly, and the pressures of modern lifestyle

  • Environmental issues: Individual versus government responsibility for pollution, the impact of climate change, and the effects of mass tourism

  • Work and economy: Work-life balance, the gap between rich and poor, and the influence of advertising

  • Culture and traditions: The importance of preserving local heritage in a globalised world and the role of traditional festivals

  • Media and the news: How people consume news today, the spread of misinformation online, and the influence of celebrities as role models 

Example questions

• For the topic of “a memorable teacher”, the Part 3 questions might be:

  • Why do some teachers leave a lasting impression on students while others do not?

  • What personal traits make someone a good role model for others?

  • Do you think modern celebrities have a positive or negative influence on the younger generation?

  • In the future, will technology ever be able to replace the emotional and social influence of a human teacher?