IELTS-style speaking practice: Parts 1, 2 and 3, out loud
Hear a question read aloud, answer against the real timings (one minute to prepare and two to talk in Part 2), then play your answer back and check it against the four things examiners listen for. Our own questions, free, no sign-up, and your recording stays on your device.
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Our own practice questions in the style of the IELTS Speaking test. Not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge. Official format: ielts.org.
Free, no account. The question is read aloud by your browser's own voice, and your answer is recorded on your device only: it is never uploaded, and it's gone when you close the page unless you save it. Made by the Ask Poppy team.
How to use it like the real test
- Part 1: answer time 1 minute, no thinking time. Answer in two to four sentences with a reason or an example, the way you would in a conversation.
- Part 2: thinking time 1 minute, answer time 2 minutes. Jot four or five words, not sentences, then keep talking until the timer stops.
- Part 3: answer time 1 to 2 minutes. These are opinion and "why" questions: give a view, a reason, an example, and what someone who disagrees might say.
- Listen back with the checklist, then answer the same question again and fix one thing.
Question sets
Part 1 style: familiar topics
- Do you work or are you a student? What do you like most about it?
- Tell me about the area where you live. Has it changed in recent years?
- How do you usually spend your weekends?
- Do you prefer to read books or watch films? Why?
- What kind of music do you listen to, and when?
- Do you like cooking? What do you usually make?
- How often do you use public transport? What do you think of it where you live?
- Is there a sport or activity you'd like to try in the future?
- Do you enjoy shopping? What kind of shops do you like?
- What did you enjoy doing as a child that you still do now?
Part 2 style: long turn (1 minute to prepare, talk for 2)
Like a task card: cover each point, then explain the last one in more depth.
- Describe a skill you learned outside school. Say what it is, how you learned it, how long it took, and explain why it matters to you.
- Describe a time you helped someone. Say who it was, what you did, how they reacted, and explain how you felt about it.
- Describe a place you visited that you'd like to go back to. Say where it is, when you went, what you did there, and explain why you'd return.
- Describe a book, film or series that made you think. Say what it was, how you came across it, what it was about, and explain why it stayed with you.
- Describe a goal you are working towards. Say what it is, why you chose it, what you have done so far, and explain what you'll do next.
- Describe a person you admire who isn't famous. Say who they are, how you know them, what they do, and explain why you admire them.
- Describe a piece of technology you couldn't live without. Say what it is, how long you have had it, what you use it for, and explain how life would change without it.
- Describe a time you changed your mind about something. Say what it was, what you thought before, what changed it, and explain how you feel now.
Part 3 style: discussion
- Why do some people find it easier than others to learn new skills as adults?
- Should schools teach practical skills such as cooking and managing money? Why or why not?
- How has technology changed the way people make friends?
- Do you think people travel too much today? What are the effects on the places they visit?
- Is it better to have one long-term goal or many short-term ones?
- Why do you think some books and films stay popular for generations?
- Who should be responsible for helping people in a community: governments, families or individuals?
- Will people still need to learn foreign languages if translation apps get better? Why?
What examiners listen for
IELTS marks speaking on four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary ("lexical resource"), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation (ielts.org). Recording yourself is the quickest way to hear all four: you notice the long pauses, the word you used five times and the sentence that never finished. Recalling ideas and words without notes is also the kind of practice that tends to stick (testing beats rereading).
Want a conversation partner too?
This tool gives you questions and a timer but doesn't reply. For back-and-forth practice, see how to practise speaking a language with AI, with prompts for ChatGPT voice and Gemini Live, and our list of voice AI tutor apps.
Want someone to ask the follow-up questions? Ask Poppy is an AI tutor you can talk to. You answer out loud, it asks the next question based on what you actually said, and it gives hints rather than model answers. Free, 30 messages a day on iPhone, iPad and Mac; unlimited is optional at $3.99 a week or $9.99 a month (US). Like any AI it can make mistakes. (Disclosure: this site is made by the Ask Poppy team.)
Questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
11 to 14 minutes, in three parts: Part 1 (4 to 5 minutes of questions on familiar topics), Part 2 (one minute to prepare, then talk for up to two minutes from a task card), and Part 3 (4 to 5 minutes of discussion linked to the Part 2 topic). It is a face-to-face interview and it is recorded.
How is IELTS Speaking marked?
On four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The self-check list on this page follows those four areas, but it can't give you a band score.
Can I practise IELTS speaking alone?
Yes. Answer real-style questions out loud against the same timings, record yourself, and listen back for one thing at a time: long pauses, repeated words, one tense used throughout. Then answer the same question again. A teacher or speaking partner adds what self-practice can't: an outside ear.
Are these real IELTS questions?
No. They are our own questions written in the style of each part. Official sample tests are on ielts.org.
Is my recording uploaded?
No. It is recorded by your browser and kept on this device only. It disappears when you leave or reload, unless you save the file.