IELTS Speaking Topics 2025-26

Some IELTS speaking topics are quite familiar, and you find them easy to talk about. However, there are cases when forming a suitable answer (or brainstorming) might be difficult for you for an unpredictable topic. That is why we recommend that you look at a few speaking topics from recent exams.

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 1:

Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school.

You should say:

– what subject it was
– what class you were then
– how interesting it was

and explain why you enjoyed studying this subject at school.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 2:

Describe a special cake you received from others.

You should say:

– when it was
– who gave it to you
– why he or she gave it to you

and explain why this cake was so special.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 3:

Describe a time when you saw something interesting on social media.

You should say:

– what you saw
– where you saw it
– how you felt about it

and explain why you think it was interesting.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 4:

Describe an interesting TV programme you watched about a science topic.

You should say:

– what science topic this TV programme was about
– when you saw this TV programme
– what you learnt from this TV programme about a science topic

and explain why you found this TV programme interesting.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 5:

Describe some technology (e.g. an app, phone, software program) that you decided to stop using.

You should say:

– when and where you got this technology
– why you started using this technology
– why you decided to stop using it

and explain how you feel about the decision you made.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 6:

Describe a recent progress that your country has witnessed.

You should say:

– what it is
– how long it took to finish or is it still ongoing
– how you feel about it

and explain how it is beneficial to your country.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 7:

Describe a musical instrument you know how to play.

You should say:

– what it is
– how to play it
– how long you have been playing it

and explain why you like this particular musical instrument.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 8:

Describe a person who has influenced you to do better in your life.

You should say:

– who this person is
– how you know him/her
– what this person does

and explain how this person has influenced you to do better in life.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 9:

Describe an experience of teaching your friend or family member.

You should say:

– whom you taught
– when it was
– what subject you taught

and explain how you felt about teaching this friend or family member.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 10:

Describe a piece of expensive clothing which you have bought lately.

You should say:

– what type of clothing you bought
– how much it cost you
– why you bought it

and explain how you felt after you bought it.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 11:

Describe a time when you had to take care of a baby.

You should say:

– when it was
– who was the baby
– what you did

and explain how you felt about taking care of this baby.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 12:

Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination.

You should say:

– what the situation was
– why you needed to use your imagination
– what the difficulties were about it

and explain how you felt about it.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 13:

Describe a product you bought and felt happy about.

You should say:

– what it was
– why you bought it
– how long you used it

and explain why you were happy to have bought this product.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 14:

Describe something important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

You should say:

– what does healthy lifestyle mean to you
– what important aspect you have in your mind
– how it is important

and explain why this is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 15:

Describe a long car journey you went on.

You should say:

– where you went
– how long it took
– who you went with

and explain why you went on that journey by car.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 16:

Describe an important historical event you know about.

You should say:

– what event it is
– when it happened
– who or what was involved in it

and explain why you think it is an important historical event.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 17:

Describe an occasion when you received a good service from a company or shop.

You should say:

what the service was
when you received the service
where you received the service

and explain why you think it was a good service.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 18:

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.

You should say:

– what it is
– how you learned to use it
– how long you have had it

and explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 19:

Describe a rule you did not like in school.

You should say:

– what it was
– how others thought about this rule
– have you ever violated this rule

and explain why you did not like this rule.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 20:

Describe something special that you saved money to buy.

You should say:

– what it was
– why you bought it
– how long you saved money to buy it

and explain why it was important for you to buy it.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 21:

Describe a good photo someone took for you.

You should say:

– when and where the photo was taken
– who took the photo
– what the photo depicts

and explain why you like this photo.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 22:

Describe an important letter that you received.

You should say:

– who wrote it to you
– what the letter was about
– how you felt about the letter

and explain why it was important to you.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 23:

Describe a method that helps you to save money.

You should say:

– what it is
– how long have you been following it
– is it a common method

and explain how effective it is to save money.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 24:

Describe your ideal home or place to live.

You should say:

– where it would be
– how big it would be
– what it would contain

and explain why this kind of accommodation would attract you so much.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 25:

Describe a river or a sea you have visited.

You should say:

– where the river/ sea was
– what activities you did there
– who was with you

and explain why you liked this particular place and why do you recommend the place for others to visit.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 26:

Describe a useful website you have visited and liked.

You should say:

– what the website was
– how you fund the address of this website
– what the website contained

and explain why it was useful to you.
[ Answer to this topic ]

IELTS Speaking Topic/ Cue Card Topic 27:

Describe someone in your family who you really admire.

You should say:

– what relation this person is to you
– what are your first memories of this person
– how often you see this person

and explain why you really admire this person.
[ Answer to this topic ]