Below is the list of the most likely cue cards that could be asked in upcoming IELTS speaking tests from May–August 2023. Please keep in mind that you will be given only one topic for your speaking exam. However, you must prepare various topics well for the day ahead. You may also like IELTS Speaking Forecast January – April 2023.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

1. Home/ Accommodation

1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in? Who do you live with?
2. How long have you lived there?
3. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?
4. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
5. Which room does your family spend most of the time in? Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
6. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat? Please describe the room you live in.
7. What part of your home do you like the most?

2. Study

1. Describe your education
2. What is your area of specialization? Why did you choose to study that major?
3. Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
4. What kind of school did you go to as a child?
5. What was your favourite subject as a child?
6. Do you think your country has an effective education system?
7. Are you looking forward to working?

3. Work

1. What do you do?
2. What are your responsibilities?
3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
5. Describe the company or organization you work for? Do you enjoy your work?
6. What do you like about your job? What do you dislike about your job

4. Bags

1. Do you usually carry a backpack? (Why/Why not?)
2. What kind of bag do you like to carry? (Why?)
3. Do you often change bags? (Why/Why not?)

5. Living Place

1. Do you live in a house or a flat?
2. What can you see from the windows of your home?
3. Are you satisfied with the place where you focus on living?

6. Wild Animals

1. Have you ever seen a wild animal? (What was it?/Why not?)
2. What is your favourite wild animal? (Why/Why not?)
3. Do you like seeing animals in a zoo? (Why/Why not?)
4. How important is it to protect wild animals? (Why/Why not?)

7. Keeping Healthy

1. In what ways do you try to stay healthy?
2. What do you think is more important, eating healthy or doing exercise?
3. What part of your lifestyle would you most like to make healthier?

8. Concentration

1. Where would you like to go when you need concentration?
2. How can you concentrate on something?
3. What makes you hard to concentrate?

9. Teachers

1. What do you think of “a good teacher”?
2. Do you want to be a teacher in the future?
3. Do you think high school students should be encouraged to make comments on their teachers?
4. What are the most important qualities of “a good teacher”?

10. Days Off

1. What do you do on your day off?
2. Do you usually spend your days off with your parents or with your friends?

11. Friends

1. Do you have any good friends who live far away? (Why/Why not?)
2. Are you still friends with any of your childhood friends? (Why/Why not?)’
3. What do you value most about your friends? (Why?)

12. Language learning

1. Why do you like the language you want to learn?
2. Do you think it’s difficult to learn a new language?
3. Will you learn other languages in the future?

13. Dreams

1. Do you remember your dream when you wake up?
2. Do you like hearing others’ dreams?
3. Have you told others about your dreams?

14. Favorite Day

1. Which day is your favorite day?
2. How do you usually spend your time?

15. Ambition

1. What are your career ambitions or goals?
2. Is it important to have ambitions?
3. What were your ambitions when you were a child?

16. Arts

1. Do you like drawing? Why?
2. Do you want to visit an art gallery or museum?
3. What are the differences between old and modern arts?
4. Do you want to be an artist?

17.  Listening to Music

1. What type of music do you most like to listen to? (Why?/Why not?)
2. Have you always liked the same type of music? (Why?/Why not?)
3. When do you usually listen to music? (Why?/Why not?)
4. Do you prefer listening to music alone or with other people? (Why?/Why not?)

18. Staying up late

1. Do you often stay up late at night? (Why/Why not?)
2. Did you stay up late more often when you were younger? (Why/Why not?)
3. How do you feel the day after you have stayed up late? (Why?)
4. What do you generally do when you stay up late? (Why/Why not?)

19. Chocolate

1. Do you like eating chocolate?
2. Did you give chocolate to someone as a gift?
3. Did you like chocolate when you were a child?
4. When was the first time you ate chocolate?
5. Why do you think it’s so popular?
6. Do you think people use chocolate differently now than in the past?
7. Is chocolate good for our health?

20. Jewelry

1. Do you often wear jewelry?
2. What type of jewelry do you like to buy?
3. Why do you think some people wear a piece of jewelry for a long time?
4. How often do you wear jewelry?
5. Have you ever given someone jewelry as a gift

21. Small business

1. Are there many small businesses in the place where you live?
2. Do you prefer to buy things from a small business or large company?
3. Have you ever thought about starting your own business?

22. Outer space and stars

1. Have you ever learned about outer space and stars at school?
2. Are you enjoy watching films about the outer space and stars?
3. Do you want to study about outer space and stars?
4. Do you want to travel to the outer space in the future?

23. Schools

1. Where do you go to school?
2. Do you think your school is good for every student?
3. What changes do you want to make in your school?

24. Weekends

1. Do you like to go to the cinema/movies at weekends?Why?/Why not?
2. What do you enjoy doing most at weekends?Why?/Why not?
3. Are you planning to do anything special next weekend?Why?/Why not?

25. Keys

1. Do you always bring a lot of keys with you?
2. Where do you put your keys at home?
3. Have you ever lost your keys?

26. T-shirt

1. How often do you wear T-shirts?
2. Do you like T-shirts with pictures or prints?
3. Do you think older people who wear T-shirts are fashionable?
4. Have you ever bought T-shirts from vacation?

27. Being Happy

1. What made you happy when you were little?
2. Do you feel happy when buying new things?
3. When do you feel happy at work, why?
4. What do you think will make you feel happy in the future?

28. Library

1. Did you go to the library when you were a kid?
2. Do VietNamese kids often go to the library?
3. How often do you go to the library?

29. Noise

1. Which do you think makes louder noise, in cities or in the countryside?
2. What noise do we have in cities?
3. What kind of noise do cars make?

30. Fix things

1. Do you like to fix things? (Why/Why not?)
2. Who taught you how to fix things when you were young?
3. What do you think is broken and cannot be repaired should be?

31. Ice-cream

1. Do you love ice cream?
2. Did you often eat ice cream when you were a child?
3. Are there shops selling ice cream near the place where you live?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

1. Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied the result

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who you complained to
• What you complained about
• And explain why you were satisfied with the result

Part 3

1. What products or services do people in your country like to complain about?
2. Would you buy things in the shops which you have complained about before?
3. Which one is better when making a complaint, by talking or writing?
4. Do you think customers’ complaints will improve products or services?
5. Are there any disadvantages to set up customer service?

2. Describe an advertisement you don’t like

You should say:

• What type of advertisement it is
• What product or service it advertises
• Where and when you first saw it
• And explain why you don’t like it

Part 3

1. What kind of things advertise most in your country
2. Newspaper advertising or online advertising more effective

3. Describe an invention that changed people’s lives.

You should say:

• What it is
• What it does (or, how it it used)
• How popular it is among people of different ages
• And explain why (or how) you think it changed people’s lives.

Follow-up questions:

• Do you often use that invention?

Part 3

1. Can you name any other inventions that have made a big impact on human society?
2. What do you think makes an invention “useful”?
3. What new invention(s) would you like to be available in the future?
4. What are some examples of inventions that are used in the home?
5. Do you think these inventions tend to make people lazy?
6. What are some examples of electronic or electrical equipment that are used in schools (in classrooms)?
7. What kinds of new technology connected to health do you think might appear in future?

4. Describe the type of clothes that you usually (like to) wear.

You should say:

• What type (or style) of clothes
• Where you usually buy these clothes
• How often you buy them
• How you choose what to buy
• And explain why you like this style of clothes.

Part 3

1. Does everyone like to go shopping for clothes?
2. Why do you think some people don’t like shopping for clothes?
3. Do you think there is a difference between males and females when buying clothes?
4. Do you think it’s important (or, good) to follow the current fashions in the clothes you wear?
5. Why do many young people feel it’s important to wear clothes that are “in fashion”?

5. Describe a popular person (who) you know.

You should say:

• Who this person is
• What this person does
• How you know them (= him or her)
• And explain why (you think) they are popular.

Part 3

1. What kinds of people are popular?
2. Can you explain why some students at school are more popular than others?
3. Do you think a popular teacher is always a good teacher?
4. Do you think it’s easier to be popular if you are wealthy than if you are poor?
5. Can you explain why some people are popular (or famous) for many years while others are only popular (or famous) for a short time?
6. Can you explain why some people (actors) are popular (or famous) for many years while others are only popular (or famous) for a short time?
7. Do you think that a 3 or 4-year-old child can become popular?

6. Describe a traditional festival

You should say

• When the festival occurs
• What you did during it
• What you like or dislike about it
• And explain why this a festival or national holiday is important

Part 3

1. How do people in Vietnam value traditional festivals?
2. What’s the difference between the ways festivals are celebrated now and in the past?
3. Do children like to learn about traditional festivals?
4. Is music important to traditional festivals?

7. Describe a game you played in your childhood

You should say

• What the game was
• When you played it
• Who you played with
• How you felt about the game

Part 3

1. Is it good for a kid to be ambitious?
2. What kind of games are played by the children of this generation?
3. Did parents encourage their children to play games?
4. Which is better, individual games or team-based games?

8. Describe a time when you spend time with a child

You should say

• Who the child is
• How you know him/her
• Why you spent time with him/her
• And explain what you did when you were together

Part 3

1. Are sweets a good thing to reward children?
2. Do parents in your country spend a lot of time with their children?
3. Why do children tend to be happier than adults?

9. Describe a place you want to visit with you friends or family in the future

You should say:

• Where do you want to go in the future
• How do you think about
• What to do in that place
• And explain why do you want to go

Part 3

1. What are the difference between travel today and past?
2. Why did people like to explore new places to develop the tourism industry?
3. Why is this place popular? Where do you think people want to go most during the holidays?

10. Describe a person who just moved into your community and brought positive influence

You should say:

• Who this person is
• When and where this person moved to your community
• How you know this person
• And explain how you feel about this person

Part 3:

1. What kinds of people tend to live by themselves?
2. What skills do you think young people need to learn in order to live independently?
3. How can parents and teachers help young people to live independently?

11. Describe a long car journey you went on

You should say:

• Where you went
• What you did at this place
• Who you went there with
• And explain why you went on that journey by car

Part 3

1. What benefits does public transport bring to the world?
2. Is it too late for people to get a driver’s license at the age of 18?
3. What’s the difference between men’s and women’s preference for cars?
4. What are the differences between bicycles and private cars?

12. Describe a new store/shop that just opened in your area.

You should say:

• What shop it is
• What it sells (or, what you usually buy there)
• When you first started going to this shop (or, how you came to know about this shop)
• And explain why you like (to go to) this shop

Part 3

1. What types of the shop would you recommend a visit to your country should go to? (Why?)
2. Do you ever buy anything on the internet?
3. What do you think are the advantages of buying things on the internet?
4. In your country, how has shopping changed in the past few decades?

13. Describe a crowded place you have been to

You should say:

• Where the place is
• When you went there
• Whom you went there
• And explain how you felt about this crowded place.

Part 3

1. Do you think people enjoy going to crowded places? Why?
2. How do you think people should deal with traffic congestion?
3. Where is the most crowded place in your city?
4. People behave differently in crowded places, why do you think this happens?

14. Describe a book you want to read again.

You should say:

• What the book is about
• Why you read it
• What you learned from this book
• And explain why you would like to read it again.

Part 3

1. What kind of books they like to read and why they can learn from them?
2. Vietnamese people whether they prefer to read on paper or electronically?

15. Describe an interesting talk or speech

You should say

• When you heard it
• Where you heard it
• What it was about
• And explain why you think it was interesting.

Part 3

1. What benefits does the internet bring to communication?
2. Which one is better, being a communicator or a listener?
3. Will Vietnamese people feel nervous when it comes to public speaking?

16. Describe a sport you enjoyed watching

You should say:

• What sports programs do you like to watch
• When you watch it
• Who do you watch with
• And explain why you like watching it.

Part3

1. What kind of sports do you think most people like?Why?
2. Do you play sports professionally or make friends?
3. What’s the difference between playing sports on your own and playing sports in a group?

17. Describe a perfect house you saw

You should say:

• When and where you saw it
• What it looked like
• What special feature it had
• And explain why you liked it.

Part 3

1. The difference between apartment and house?
2. Do young people in your country like to live with their parents or by themselves?
3. What difficulties do people have in living in the city?

18. Describe an expensive gift that you want to give someone if you save a lot of money

You should say:

• What the gift was
• Who you gave it to
• Why you gave it
• And explain whether this person liked the gift or not

Part 3

1. Is it easy for people to save money to buy expensive items?
2. How do you choose presents for others if you don’t know what they like? Is it difficult to buy the right present?
3. How do you think about people giving money to charity organization?
4. What do young people like to save money to buy?

19. Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future.

You should say:

• What it is
• Where you would like to try it
• How difficult it is
• And explain why you would like to try it

Part 3

1. What’s the difference between outdoor sports and indoor sports?
2. What kinds of water sports are popular nowadays?
3. Why should we develop water transport?
4. Do you think it is necessary for everyone to learn to swim?

20. Describe a movie you watched that made you feel depressed

You should say:

What it was

• When you watched it
• Who you watched it with
• Why you didn’t like it
• And explain why you felt disappointed

Part 3

1. Do you believe movie reviews?
2. What movies do people like to watch in your country?
3. Are historical films popular in your country?Why?
4. Do you think films with famous actors or actresses be more popular?

21. Describe an occasion when you got lost

You should say:

• Where you were
• What happened
• How you felt
• And explain how you found your way

Part 3

1. How do people react when they get lost?
2. Why do some people have a good sense of direction? 3: Is a paper map still necessary?
3. With mobile phones and these electronic products with navigation is it easy for people to get lost?
4. What kind of problems do old people have when they get lost?

22. Describe an occasion when you received incorrect information

You should say:

• What was the incorrect information?
• When did it happen?
• How you found out the information was incorrect?
• And explain how you felt about it?

Part 3

1. What kind of professions are related to giving information to others?
2. What is the difference between giving information by phone and email?
3. How can people check whether a piece of information is correct or not?
4. Do people trust the information online?

23. Describe an exciting adventure you would like to go on

You should say:

• Where you would like to go to
• Who you would like to go with
• Why it is a great adventure
• How the adventure is
• And explain why it is a great adventure

Part 3

1. What kind of personality should a person have to be able to take risks?
2. Will a lot of adventures expand your horizons?
3. Why do they like to read adventure stories instead of experiencing them?

24. Describe an important decision

You should say:

• What the decision was
• When you took the decision
• What the results of the decision was
• And explain why you made that decision

Part 3

1. Why is it difficult for young men to make an important decision?
2. How can we know we make a good decision?
3. Should parents let their children make a decision?

25. Describe a job you think is interesting

You should say:

• What it is
• When you started concerning about this job
• Why you think it is interesting
• And explain how you like it

Part 3

1. What jobs are popular among younger people in VietNam?
2. What are the differences people choose jobs between now and in the past?
3. Which is more important, the people you work with or the job you do?

26. Describe a historical period you would like to know more

You should say:

• When it was
• What you are interested in
• What you have known
• And explain why you would like to know more

Part 3

1. Should everyone know history?
2. In what ways can children learn history?
3. Is it hard to protect and preserve historic buildings?
4. Who should pay for the preservation of historic buildings?
5. Will museums be replaced by technology someday?

27. Describe something that you did with one or more people

You should say:

• What it was
• Who you did it with
• How long it took you to do this
• And explain why you did it with one or more people

Part 3

1. What kinds of jobs need people to work in a team?
2. How do you get along with your neighbors?
3. What can parents do with their children to make them happy?
4. How can children improve their social skills?

28. Describe a website you often visit

You should say:

• How you found it
• What it is about
• How often you visit it
• And explain why you often visit it

Part 3

1. What are the most popular and least popular apps in VietNam?
2. What’s the difference between the Internet and television?
3. Why do people like to read the news on the Internet instead of on TV?
4. Is the library still necessary? Why?
5. What kinds of people would still go to the library to read and study?

29. Describe a piece of technology that you feel difficult to use

You should say

• When you got it
• What you got it for
• How often you use it
• And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. What technology do people currently use?
2. Why do big companies introduce new products frequently?
3. Why are people so keen on buying Iphones even though they haven’t changed much from one to the next?

30. Describe a place you would like to visit for a short time

You should say

• Where is that place
• Whom you will go there with
• What you will do there
• And explain why you would like to visit for a short time

Part 3

1. Do people prefer planned travel?
2. Why do places with historical attractions develop tourism more aggressively?
3. Why do you think people usually travel?
4. Why does living in tourist cities experience more noise?

31. Describe an unusual meal you had

You should say

• When you had it
• Where you had it
• Whom you had it with
• And explain why it was unusual

Part 3

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating in restaurants?
2. Do you think having dinner at home is a good idea?
3. Do young people like to spend time with their families or friends?
4. What do you think are the benefits of having dinner together?
5. Do you think people are less willing to cook meals by themselves these days, compared to the past?

32. Describe the first day you went to school that you remember?

You should say

• When it happened
• Where the school is
• How you felt about the experience
• And explain why you still remember the experience

Part 3

1. What are the reasons for job change?
2. Are big companies better than small companies? Why?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages coming along with changing jobs?
4. What would parents prepare for their kids when they first go to school?
5. How do children socialise with each other?
6. Is socialisation important for children?

33. Describe a time when you missed or were late for a meeting

You should say:

• What happened
• When it happened
• Why you missed/were late for it
• And explain what happened later and how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Are you a punctual person?
2. Do you think it is important to be on time?
3. Do you always avoid being late?
4. Why are people often late for meeting or appointments?
5. Why do people miss important events?
6. Are people in your country often late for meetings?

34. Describe a sport you enjoyed when you were young

You should say

• What it was
• Where you did it
• Who you did it with
• And explain how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Is it important to have a break during work or study?
2. What sports do young people like to do now?
3. Are there more activities for young people now than 20 years ago?
4. Do adults and children have enough time for leisure activities nowadays?

35. Describe a person you met at a party who you enjoyed talking with

You should say:

• What party it was
• How you met this person
• What you talked about
• And explain why you enjoyed talking with him/her

Part 3

1. On what occations would people be willing to get to know new people?
2. Where would people get to know new people?
3. How do people start a conversation?
4. Is it difficult for Vietnamese people to communicate with people from other countries?
5. Why are some people unwilling to have conversations with others?
6. Is it difficult for adults to talk with children?

36. Describe your favorite place in your house where you can relax

You should say:

• Where it is
• What it is like
• What you enjoy doing there
• And explain why you feel relaxed at this place

Part 3

1. Why is it difficult for some people to relax?
2. What are the benefits of doing exercise?
3. Do people in your country exercise after work?
4. What is the place where people spend most of their time in their home?

37. Describe a character in a film or TV show

You should say:

• What character it is
• Who acted the character
• When you saw the film
• And explain whether you like this character

Part 3

1. Is it interesting to be an actor/actress?
2. What can children learn from acting?
3. Why do children like special costumes?
4. What are the differences between actors/actresses who earn much and those who earn little?
5. What are the differences between acting in a theater and in a film?

38. Describe a time when you taught a friend/relative something

You should say:

• Who you taught
• What you taught
• How the result was
• And explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3

1. What practical skills can young people teach old people?
2. What skills can young people teach old people besides technology?
3. How can young people teach old people skills?
4. How can we know what to do when we want to learn something new?

39. Describe a piece of good news that you heard about someone you are familiar with

You should say:

• What it was
• When you heard it
• How you knew it
• And explain how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Is it good to share something on social media?
2. Should the media only publish good news?
3. How does social media help people access information?
4. What kind of good news do people often share in the community?
5. Do most people like to share good news with others?
6. Do people like to hear good news from their friends?

40. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by air pollution (or not clean)

You should say:

• Where it is
• When you visited this place
• What kinds of pollution you saw there
• And explain how this place was affected

Part 3

1. How much air pollution is there in your country?

• Different about pollution in the countryside and city? Why?
• How can the government encourage people to keep their city clean?

41. Describe an interesting old person you have ever met

You should say:

• Who this person is
• Where/when you met this person
• What you did
• And explain why you think this person is interesting

Part 3

1. Do you think old people and young people can share interests?
2. What can old people teach young people?
3. Are there benefits when one person is interested in another person? Why?

42. Describe a time when someone give you something that you really interested in

You should say:

• What it is
• How you got it
• What you did
• And explain how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Should employees have their own goals?
2. How should bosses reward employees?
3. What kinds of gifts do young people like to receive as rewards?

43. Describe something you did that made you feel proud

You should say:

• What it was
• How you did it
• How difficult it was
• And explain why you felt proud of it

Part 3

1. Which is more important, personal goals or work goals?
2. Have your life goals changed since your childhood?
3. Does everyone set goals for themselves?
4. Does everyone set goals for themselves?
5. Do you think material rewards are more important than other rewards at work?
6. What makes people feel proud of themselves?

44. Describe a new development in the area where you live (e.g shopping mall, park, etc.)

You should say:

• What the development is
• When/where you noticed it
• How long it took to complete it
• And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. What transportation do you use the most?
2. Is public transportation popular in VietNam?
3. What can be improved in public transport services?
4. What leisure facilities can be used by people of all ages?
5. Do you think young people in your country like to go to the cinema?

45. Describe a noisy place you have been to

You should say:

• What it is
• When you went there
• What you did there
• And explain why you feel it’s a noisy place

Part 3

1. Why do people like to make a loud noise?
2. The difference between the noise in the city and the countryside?
3. Why there are noise in the city and countryside?
4. Do you think children usually make a loud noise?
5. Where do children usually make a loud noise?
6. Why do people like to go to places where have many noise?

46. Describe a person you have met who you want to work/study with

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you met this person
• How long you have known him/her
• And explain why you want to work/study with him/her

Part 3

1. What are the characteristics that good co-workers need?
2. What benefits if you are surrounded by good co-workers?
3. What would happen if the co-workers are not good?
4. Are there values if managers build good relationships with the workers who work underneath them?
5. Is it good for workers if the company applies sports facilities for them?
6. Are knowledgeable people popular at work?

47. Describe something you would like to learn in the future

You should say

• What it is
• How you would like to learn it
• Where you would like to learn it
• Why you would like to learn it
• And explain whether it’s difficult to learn it

Part 3

1. What’s the most popular thing to learn nowadays?
2. At what age should children start making their own decisions? Why?
3. Which makes young people choose a major, income or interest?
4. Do young people take their parents’ advice on choosing a major?
5. Besides parents, who else would people take advice from?
6. Why do some people prefer to study alone?

48. Describe a person you know who likes to help others (or, who often helps others)

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know them (= him or her)
• When you knew or when you first met this person
• Where this person lives
• What kind of person he or she is
• And explain why this person (likes to help) helps others.

Part 3

1. Do people in your country like helping others?
2. Why do some people not like to help others?
3. What are some ways that neighbors can help each other?
4. Do you think community spirit has increased (or improved) compared to years ago, or has it decreased?
5. How can people have good relations with their neighbours?
6. What do you think are the advantages of having good relations with one’s neighbours?

49. Describe a routine you have in your life that you enjoy

You should say:

• What it is
• How often do you do it
• Is it easy to stick to that routine
• And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. What routine do people have at home?
2. What routine does the elderly have?
3. What are the benefits of having a routine for kids at school?

50. Describe a happy experience in your childhood that you remember well

You should say:

• When and where it happened
• Who you were with
• What you saw or did
• And explain why you remember it so well.

Part 3

1. What do you think is the most important memory for children?
2. What should adults remember?
3. How can we improve our memories?
4. What can help us to remember our childhood memories?
5. Why do you think some people can remember things easily?