Free guide · Refreshed quarterly

IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics (2026)

Recently reported Part 1, 2 and 3 topics — refreshed every quarter, with practice tips for each part.

Updated quarterly: this list reflects the cue card patterns candidates have reported most often in recent test sessions worldwide. IELTS doesn't publish an official topic bank, so treat this as practice material, not a leak — examiners can and do phrase things differently on the day.

Part 1 — Introduction & interview (4–5 minutes)

Short, familiar-topic questions about you. Recently reported themes:

Part 2 — Cue card (3–4 minutes, 1 min prep)

You get a card with a topic and bullet prompts, one minute to prepare, then speak for up to two minutes. Recently reported cue cards:

Describe a skill you would like to learn

What it is, why you want to learn it, how you would learn it, and how it would help you.

Describe a time you helped someone

Who you helped, what the situation was, what you did, and how you felt afterward.

Describe a piece of technology you find useful

What it is, how you use it, how often you use it, and why it's useful to you.

Describe a memorable journey

Where you went, who you went with, what happened, and why it was memorable.

Describe a person who has influenced you

Who they are, how you know them, what they did, and how they influenced you.

Part 3 — Discussion (4–5 minutes)

The examiner extends Part 2's topic into abstract, opinion-based questions. For a "skill" cue card, expect follow-ups like: "Do you think schools should teach practical skills?", "How has the internet changed the way people learn new skills?", "Are self-taught skills as valuable as formally taught ones?"

How to practise this properly

Want structured speaking practice with feedback?

CourPro's IELTS course includes full Part 1–3 practice sets and a band-7 writing framework — free.

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Compiled from patterns candidates have publicly reported in recent test sessions. IELTS is a registered trademark of its respective owners; CourPro is not affiliated with IELTS, British Council, IDP, or Cambridge Assessment. This page is refreshed quarterly — last updated August 2026.