IELTS · Articles · October 20, 2026 · 14 min read
IELTS Speaking topics for September–December 2026: Part 1, 2 and 3
These are the Speaking topics test takers have reported most often for September–December 2026: 20 Part 1 topics, 31 Part 2 cue cards and 9 Part 3 discussion themes. Each one links to the same task in the Nomto practice room, where you can answer out loud and get a band on the four criteria.
Where this list comes from
- Source. IELTS does not publish its topics. This list is compiled from public reports by people who have taken the test, written in our own words. It is a guide to the season, not a guarantee.
- Season. According to test takers, the question set is refreshed three times a year: in January, May and September. This list covers September to December 2026.
- How to use it. Read the questions and answer out loud. Do not memorise answers: knowing what you would talk about and the words you need is enough.
Part 1: 20 topics
Short questions about you: 4–5 minutes, about four questions per topic. Answer in two or three sentences: an answer, a reason and a detail. The method is in the Part 1 guide.
Feeling bored
- Do you often feel bored?
- In what situations do you usually get bored?
- What do you do when you feel bored?
- Did you get bored more easily when you were a child?
Computers and tablets
- Do you use a computer or a tablet more often?
- What do you usually use it for?
- When did you first use a computer?
- How would your life be different without one?
Collecting things
- Do you collect anything?
- Have you kept anything from your childhood?
- What do people you know like to collect?
- Why do you think some people enjoy collecting things?
Lost and found
- Have you ever lost something important?
- What did you do when you lost it?
- What would you do if you found something someone else had lost?
- Do you think people in your country usually return things they find?
Street markets
- Are there many street markets where you live?
- How often do you go to one?
- What do people usually buy at street markets?
- How are street markets different from supermarkets?
Secondary school
- Do you remember your first day at secondary school?
- What was your favourite subject there?
- Was there a subject you found difficult?
- Is there anything you miss about your school?
Paper
- Do you use a lot of paper in your daily life?
- Do you keep important documents on paper or on a computer?
- When did you last write a letter on paper?
- Do you think we should try to use less paper?
Fruit and vegetables
- How often do you eat fruit and vegetables?
- Where do you usually buy them?
- Was there any fruit or vegetable you disliked as a child?
- Do many people in your country grow their own vegetables?
Politeness
- Do you think being polite is important?
- How did you learn to be polite as a child?
- Are people in your country generally polite to strangers?
- Is it ever acceptable to be impolite?
Rubbish and recycling
- Do you recycle things like paper and plastic?
- Is sorting rubbish common where you live?
- What do you do if you see rubbish in the street?
- Did you learn about recycling at school?
Advertisements
- Do you see a lot of advertisements every day?
- Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
- Is there an advertisement you remember from your childhood?
- What kind of advertisements do you find annoying?
Shoes
- Do you like buying shoes?
- How many pairs of shoes do you have?
- Do you prefer comfortable shoes or fashionable ones?
- Have you ever bought shoes online?
Names
- Does your name have a special meaning?
- Who chose your name?
- Would you like to change your name?
- Are there any names that are popular in your country at the moment?
Watches
- Do you wear a watch?
- Have you ever received a watch as a present?
- Why do some people still wear watches when they have phones?
- Do you think watches are more for fashion or for telling the time?
Mirrors
- How often do you look in a mirror?
- How many mirrors are there in your home?
- Have you ever bought a mirror?
- Do you think people look in mirrors too much?
Parks and public gardens
- Is there a park near where you live?
- How often do you go to parks?
- What do people usually do in parks in your city?
- Did you often go to parks as a child?
Tidiness
- Are you a tidy person?
- How often do you tidy your room?
- Were you tidy when you were a child?
- Do you think it is important for children to learn to be tidy?
Headphones
- Do you often use headphones?
- What do you usually listen to with them?
- Do you prefer wireless headphones or ones with a cable?
- Is it rude to wear headphones when you are with other people?
Evenings
- What do you usually do in the evening?
- Do you prefer to spend evenings at home or going out?
- Are your evenings different at the weekend?
- Did you spend your evenings differently when you were younger?
Space and stars
- Do you like looking at the stars?
- Can you see many stars where you live?
- Have you ever been to a planetarium?
- Would you like to travel into space?
Part 2: 31 cue cards
A talk from a card: one minute to prepare, up to two minutes to speak. Cover every point and finish with the “explain” part. How to structure it is in the Part 2 guide.
People
Describe a person you met only once but would like to know better. You should say:
- who the person was
- where and how you met
- what you talked about
- and explain why you would like to know them better
Describe a person who enjoys growing plants. You should say:
- who this person is
- what plants they grow
- where they grow them
- and explain why they enjoy it
Describe a friend from your childhood. You should say:
- who this friend was
- how you met
- what you used to do together
- and explain whether you are still in touch
Describe a successful businessperson you know or have read about. You should say:
- who this person is
- what business they run
- how they became successful
- and explain what you think of them
Describe a person who overcame difficulties and succeeded. You should say:
- who this person is
- what difficulties they faced
- how they dealt with them
- and explain what you learned from them
Describe a person who is good at learning languages. You should say:
- who this person is
- which languages they speak
- how they learn them
- and explain why you think they are good at it
Describe someone you know who works in medicine. You should say:
- who this person is
- what job they do
- why they chose this career
- and explain what you think of their work
Places
Describe a place you like to go to in your free time. You should say:
- where it is
- how often you go there
- what you do there
- and explain why you like it
Describe a tall building in your town or city. You should say:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what it is used for
- and explain whether you like it or not
Describe a home you like visiting but would not want to live in. You should say:
- whose home it is
- where it is
- what you do there
- and explain why you would not want to live there
Describe a noisy place you have been to. You should say:
- where it was
- when you went there
- what made it noisy
- and explain how you felt about the noise
Describe a place you found boring. You should say:
- where it was
- when you went there
- what you did there
- and explain why you found it boring
Events
Describe a time when you got up very early. You should say:
- when it was
- why you got up so early
- what you did that day
- and explain how you felt
Describe a live sports event you watched. You should say:
- what the event was
- where you watched it
- who you went with
- and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a happy event you organised. You should say:
- what the event was
- who came
- what you had to prepare
- and explain why it went well
Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam. You should say:
- when and where it happened
- where you were going
- what you did while you waited
- and explain how you felt
Describe a day out that did not cost much money. You should say:
- where you went
- who you were with
- what you did
- and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use your phone. You should say:
- when and where it was
- why phones were not allowed
- what you did instead
- and explain how you felt about it
Describe a lesson you remember well. You should say:
- what the lesson was about
- when and where you had it
- who taught it
- and explain why you remember it
Experiences and ideas
Describe a new law you would like to introduce. You should say:
- what the law would be
- who it would affect
- how it would work
- and explain why you think it is needed
Describe a time when you changed your opinion about something. You should say:
- what your opinion was
- what made you change it
- when this happened
- and explain how you feel about it now
Describe an important message you received. You should say:
- what the message was
- who sent it
- how you received it
- and explain why it was important
Describe a problem with technology that you had to solve. You should say:
- what the problem was
- when it happened
- how you solved it
- and explain how you felt afterwards
Describe a time when you had to adapt to a big change. You should say:
- what the change was
- when it happened
- how you adapted
- and explain what you learned from it
Books, films and media
Describe an advertisement that featured a famous person. You should say:
- what the advertisement was for
- who the famous person was
- where you saw it
- and explain what you thought of it
Describe an interesting video you watched online. You should say:
- what the video was about
- where you found it
- who you watched it with
- and explain why you found it interesting
Describe a book or story that has animals in it. You should say:
- what the story is
- which animals are in it
- when you read or heard it
- and explain why you remember it
Describe a piece of local news that interested you. You should say:
- what the news was
- where you heard about it
- what happened
- and explain why it interested you
Objects
Describe a cake that someone made or bought for you. You should say:
- who gave it to you
- when you received it
- what it was like
- and explain why it was special
Describe something you bought that cost more than you expected. You should say:
- what it was
- when and where you bought it
- how much more it cost
- and explain whether it was worth the money
Activities
Describe a time you worked as part of a team. You should say:
- what the team had to do
- who was in the team
- what your role was
- and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3: 9 discussion themes
A 4–5 minute discussion of general questions about society and causes. Give an opinion, a reason and an example. The three reasoning patterns are in the Part 3 guide.
Laws and rules
- Why do some people break rules even when they know them?
- Should laws be the same in every country?
- Is it better to punish people who break laws or to educate them?
- Which laws do you think will be needed in the future?
Making decisions
- Do young people today have to make more decisions than in the past?
- Should parents make important decisions for their teenage children?
- Why do some people find it hard to make decisions?
- Is it better to decide quickly or to take a long time?
Noise in cities
- What are the main causes of noise in cities?
- How does noise affect people’s health?
- Should there be stricter rules about noise at night?
- Will cities become quieter or noisier in the future?
Advertising and celebrities
- Why do companies pay famous people to advertise their products?
- Do people trust products that celebrities recommend?
- Should advertising aimed at children be controlled?
- How has online advertising changed the way people shop?
Local news
- Why do some people prefer local news to national news?
- Is local news still important in the age of social media?
- Should ordinary people be able to report the news?
- What makes a news story interesting to the public?
Teamwork
- Why is teamwork important in the workplace?
- What makes a good team leader?
- Should schools give children more group projects?
- Is it better to work alone or in a team?
Business and success
- What qualities does a person need to succeed in business?
- Is it easier to start a business now than in the past?
- Should schools teach young people how to run a business?
- Is success in business mostly a matter of luck?
Phones in public places
- Should phones be banned in some public places?
- How have mobile phones changed the way people behave in public?
- Do you think people are too dependent on their phones?
- Should children be allowed to have phones at school?
Spending money
- Why do people often spend more than they plan to?
- Is it better to buy expensive things that last or cheap things that do not?
- Should children learn how to manage money at school?
- How has online shopping changed the way people spend money?
How to prepare by topic
- Do not memorise. Examiners hear a recited answer and move to questions you have not prepared. Know what you would say and the words you need.
- Say it out loud. A topic you have answered aloud once goes noticeably more smoothly in the exam than one you have only read.
- Watch the criteria. The band is for fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The marking criteria guide shows what separates a 6 from a 7.
- Will my topic be on this list? There is no guarantee. Examiners can ask other topics, so being able to build an answer matters more than knowing the list.