IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Part 3 is a four-to-five-minute discussion linked to your Part 2 topic, but about people and society in general. Questions ask you to compare, explain causes, evaluate and predict.
Give longer answers here: state your view, explain why, and give an example. It's fine to say a question is complex and to look at both sides.
Example Part 3 questions
These follow the cue card “Describe a skill you learned outside school.”.
- What kinds of practical skills do people commonly learn outside formal education?
- How do people usually find someone or something to help them learn a new skill?
- How does learning a skill informally compare with learning it in a classroom?
- Why might some people find it easier to learn a skill independently than others?
- How can communities make opportunities for informal learning more accessible?
- How might technology change the way people learn practical skills in the future?
More cue cards with their Part 3 questions →
How to answer
Shift From Personal To General
- Treat your experience as a starting point, not the whole answer.
- Use a bridge such as “More generally” or “For many people” to widen the focus.
- Name a relevant group, such as students or workers, instead of repeating “I”.
- Qualify broad claims with “many”, “some” or “often”; avoid saying everyone thinks alike.
- Keep your personal example brief, then spend more of your answer on the wider pattern.
Example: Part 3 question: Do people spend enough time with friends?. I enjoy seeing my friends, but that is only my own experience. More generally, many people make time for friends because social contact matters to them. How often they meet can vary with their routines.
Build A Reasoned Point
- Make one general claim that directly answers the question.
- Give one reason that supports the claim; do not just repeat it in different words.
- Add a brief illustration to show what the reason might look like in practice.
- Keep the order clear: claim, reason, then illustration. Use “for example” to introduce the illustration.
Example: Part Three question: Why do many people value public libraries?. Many people value public libraries because they offer a quiet place to study and access to books. For example, someone preparing for an exam can use a desk and consult reference books there.
Separate Benefits And Drawbacks
- Keep the advantage and drawback as two separate points. Label each clearly.
- Use phrases such as “One advantage is…” and “A drawback is…” to signal each side.
- Finish explaining one point before you introduce the other. Avoid reversing your point halfway through.
- Give a brief supporting detail for each point, and make clear which side it supports.
Example: Part Three question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?. One advantage of working from home is greater flexibility, as people can organise their day around their tasks. A drawback is having less face-to-face contact with colleagues, so informal conversations may happen less often.
Predict With Caution
- Use may, might or could to show that a future outcome is possible, not certain.
- Put the modal before the base verb: “might change”, not “might changes”.
- Give a brief reason or condition to support your prediction.
- Avoid presenting a prediction as a fact unless you have strong grounds for certainty.
Example: Part Three question: How might local libraries change their services in the future?. They may offer more evening events, particularly if visitors continue to ask for them. The exact services will probably depend on local needs.
Acknowledge Partial Validity
- Name one specific strength in the other view, rather than saying only, “I understand.”
- Use “although”, “while” or “admittedly” to introduce the point you accept.
- Accept only the part you find reasonable; do not imply that you agree with the whole view.
- Then state your own position clearly, using a phrase such as “but I generally think…”.
Example: Speaking Part 3: Is it better to study alone or with others?. Studying alone can make it easier to concentrate, which is a real advantage. However, I generally prefer studying with others because discussing ideas helps me notice gaps in my understanding.
Practise
Short items from the ielts.coach lessons. Answer them, then check to see why each answer is right.
1Which answer moves from a personal view to a wider pattern?
2After saying “I like going to parks”, which sentence best widens the focus?
3Which answer develops a clear point about shared offices?
4In this answer, which sentence gives the supporting reason? “Public parks are important in towns. They give residents an open place to exercise or relax. For example, a family might use a nearby park for a weekend picnic.”
5Read the answer: “Online appointments are useful for many people. They can save time by avoiding a journey to an office. For example, someone renewing a routine prescription may complete the process from home.” Which two-word phrase gives the reason?
6Which answer keeps the advantage and drawback as separate points?
7Which phrase clearly introduces a disadvantage?
8Which sentence clearly presents an uncertain future prediction?
Test hacks
Answer, then add a reason or example
In Part 1, give a direct answer and then one reason or example. Two or three sentences is ideal.
Why it works: One-word answers give the examiner nothing to assess; long speeches aren't needed in Part 1.
Buy thinking time naturally
Use phrases like "That's an interesting question" or "Let me think about that for a second" instead of silence or "umm".
Why it works: Natural fillers keep your fluency up while you plan.
Use the prep minute for keywords
In Part 2 you get one minute and paper to make notes. Write one or two keywords per bullet, not full sentences.
Why it works: Keywords keep you on track for the full two minutes without reading aloud.
Practise with feedback on every answer
ielts.coach builds daily lessons and practice around your interests and level, marks Writing and Speaking like an examiner in seconds, and plans your weeks to test day.