IELTS Speaking Questions Archive

IELTS Speaking Questions September-December 2026

An early, partial preview of reported retained prompts, organized by Part and regional coverage. New reports will be added as the season stabilizes.

Practice one topic Joe Speaking

SeasonSeptember-December 2026 May-Aug 2026 Jan-Apr 2026 Sep-Dec 2025

62 public topicsUpdated 2026-08-21

Early, partial preview of unofficial reported prompts. Sep-Dec practice opens after the bank stabilizes.

Built from reported retained practice prompts. It will be updated as reports stabilize.

IELTS Speaking Questions Archive

New topics are arriving. Start speaking today.

The September-December bank is still being verified. In the meantime, record an answer from the May-August bank, review your transcript and feedback, then try again.

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Mainland China

49 reported topics · 2026-08-21

Overseas

62 reported topics · 2026-08-21

What is included now?

This first release includes reviewed common prompts, the Mainland retained set, and a separate Overseas supplement. Pending and duplicate reports are excluded.

Which regional view should I use?

Mainland learners use Common + Mainland. Overseas learners use Common + Mainland + the Overseas supplement.

When will practice open?

The Sep-Dec bank remains browse-only until reports stabilize and a separate practice-release review is complete. May-Aug 2026 remains the active practice bank.

RegionPartSearch topics or questions

All regionsTopic 1Part 1

Work or studies

What subjects are you studying?
Do you like your subject?
Why did you choose to study that subject?
Do you think that your subject is popular in your country?
Do you have any plans for your studies in the next five years?
What are the benefits of being your age?
Do you want to change your major?
Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
How much time do you spend on your studies each week?
Are you looking forward to working?
What technology do you use when you study?
What changes would you like to see in your school?
What work do you do?
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or that job)?
Do you like your job?
What requirements did you need to meet to get your current job?
Do you have any plans for your work in the next five years?
What do you think is the most important at the moment?
Do you want to change to another job?
Do you miss being a student?
What technology do you use at work?
Who helps you the most? And how?

All regionsTopic 2Part 1

Home/accommodation

What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future?
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
Do you prefer living in a house or an apartment?
Please describe the room you live in.
What part of your home do you like the most?
How long have you lived there?
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?
Can you describe the place where you live?
What room does your family spend most of the time in?

All regionsTopic 3Part 1

Hometown

Where is your hometown?
Is that a big city or a small place?
Please describe your hometown a little.
How long have you been living there?
Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
Do you like your hometown?
Do you like living there?
What do you like (most) about your hometown?
Is there anything you dislike about it?
What's your hometown famous for?
Did you learn about the history of your hometown at school?
Are there many young people in your hometown?
Is your hometown a good place for young people to pursue their careers?
Have you learned anything about the history of your hometown?
Did you learn about the culture of your hometown in your childhood?

All regionsTopic 4Part 1

The area you live in

Do you like the area that you live in?
Where do you like to go in that area?
Do you know any famous people in your area?
What are some changes in the area recently?
Do you know any of your neighbors?
Are the people in your neighborhood nice and friendly?
Do you live in a noisy or a quiet area?

All regionsTopic 5Part 1

The city you live in

What city do you live in?
Do you like this city? Why?
How long have you lived in this city?
Are there big changes in this city?
Is this city your permanent residence?
Are there people of different ages living in this city?
Are the people friendly in the city?
Is the city friendly to children and old people?
Do you often see your neighbors?
What's the weather like where you live?
Would you recommend your city to others?

Mainland ChinaTopic 6Part 1

Teacher

Do you have a favorite teacher?
Do you want to be a teacher in the future?
Do you have a teacher from your past that you still remember?
Are you still in touch with your primary school teachers?
In what way has your favourite teacher helped you?

Mainland ChinaTopic 7Part 1

Social media

Do your friends use social media?
What do people often do on social media?
When did you start using social media?
Do you think you spend too much time on social media?
Have you ever posted anything on social media?

Mainland ChinaTopic 8Part 1

Music

Do you like music?
What kinds of music do you listen to?
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Is it easy to learn music?
Do you learn music lessons at school?

Mainland ChinaTopic 9Part 1

Tidiness

Do you like to keep things tidy?
Did you use to keep your room tidy as a child?
Are you a tidy person now?
What do you think of those who don't care about tidiness?
What do you think of those who are overly concerned about tidiness?

Mainland ChinaTopic 10Part 1

Website

What kinds of websites do you often visit?
What is your favourite website?
Are there any changes to the websites you often visit?
What kinds of websites are popular in your country?
Do you prefer getting information from websites or books?
Would you like to have your own website?

Mainland ChinaTopic 11Part 1

Watch

Do you wear a watch?
Have you ever got a watch as a gift?
Why do some people wear expensive watches?
Do you think it is important to wear a watch? Why?

Mainland ChinaTopic 12Part 1

Shopping

Do you like shopping?
How often do you go shopping?
Do you prefer online shopping or in-store shopping?
Do you compare prices when you shop? Why?
Is it difficult for you to make choices when you shop?
Do you think expensive products are always better than cheaper ones?
Have you ever returned anything you bought online?

Mainland ChinaTopic 13Part 1

Cars

Did you enjoy traveling by car when you were a kid?
What types of cars do you like?
Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?
What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?
Do you think car colours are important?

Mainland ChinaTopic 14Part 1

Parks

Did you like going to parks as a child?
Do you still like going to parks now?
Would you like to see more parks in your city?
Are there any parks you want to go to in the future?

Mainland ChinaTopic 15Part 1

Science

Do you like science?
When did you start to learn about science?
Which science subject is interesting to you?
What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?
Do you like watching science TV programs?
Do Chinese people often visit science museums?

Mainland ChinaTopic 16Part 1

Singing

Did you like singing when you were a child?
Do you like singing now?
Do you enjoy singing in the car?
Do you like listening to other people sing?
Did you learn to sing when you were at school?

Mainland ChinaTopic 17Part 1

Headphones

How often do you wear headphones?
Do you think headphones are useful?
Do you use headphones?
Are headphones popular in your country?
In what situations should people not wear headphones?

Mainland ChinaTopic 18Part 1

Outer space and stars

Have you ever learnt anything about space and the stars?
Would you like to know more about space and the stars?
Do you like science-fiction movies set in space?
Do you want to go into outer space in the future?

Mainland ChinaTopic 19Part 1

Feeling bored

Do you often feel bored?
Did you ever find school boring when you were a child?
What sort of things do you find most boring now?
What do you do to stop yourself feeling bored?
When would you feel bored?
What do you do when you feel bored?
Do you think childhood is boring or adulthood is boring?

Mainland ChinaTopic 20Part 1

Mirror

Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often?
Have you ever bought mirrors?
Do you usually take a mirror with you?
Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

Mainland ChinaTopic 21Part 1

Telling jokes

Are you good at telling jokes?
Do your friends like to tell jokes?
Do you like to watch comedies?
Have you ever watched a live show?
Are comedy shows popular in your country?

Mainland ChinaTopic 22Part 1

Clothing

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
Do you prefer to wear comfortable and casual clothes or smart clothes?
Do you like wearing T-shirts?
Do you spend a lot of time choosing clothes?
Do you wear clothes of different styles on weekdays and weekends?
What colour clothing do you like?

Mainland ChinaTopic 23Part 2 / Part 3

A person you know who would like to choose a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse)

Describe a person you know who would like to choose a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse)
You should say:
When you knew him/her
When he/she started to think about that
What he/she would like to do
And explain why he/she would like to choose this career
Do you think being a doctor is easy or difficult?
Do you think learning biology is interesting for children?
Why do some children want to become doctors?
Do you think government should put a large amount of money into medical research?
Why do some doctors get paid more than others?
Do you think doctors should be paid more?

Mainland ChinaTopic 24Part 2 / Part 3

A new law you would like to introduce in your country

Describe a new law you would like to introduce in your country
You should say:
What law it is
What changes this law brings
Whether this new law will be popular
How you came up with the new law
And explain how you feel about this new law
What rules should students follow at school?
Do people in your country usually obey the law?
What kinds of behavior are considered as good behavior?
Do you think children can learn about the law outside of school?
What are the benefits for people to obey rules?
How can parents teach children to obey rules?

Mainland ChinaTopic 25Part 2 / Part 3

A law of environmental protection that you would like to introduce

Describe a law of environmental protection that you would like to introduce.
You should say:
What it is
How you first learned about it
Who benefits from it
And explain how you feel about this law
What kinds of rules do schools in China have?
Do you think school rules are important?
Are children unhappy with the school rules?
What are the rules people should obey at work?
What is the purpose of punishment?

Mainland ChinaTopic 26Part 2 / Part 3

A story that involves an animal which you learned from a movie or a book

Describe a story that involves an animal which you learned from a movie or a book
You should say:
What the movie or book is about
When and where you watched it
Are there any other animals in the movie or book
And explain how you felt about this movie or book
Should schools teach children about animals?
Some people think pets should not be kept in cities. What do you think?
Many people regard pets as members of their family. What do you think?
Do many people keep pets in your country?
What are the advantages of keeping a pet?
Why do people always tell children stories with animals?

Mainland ChinaTopic 27Part 2 / Part 3

A friend from your childhood

Describe a friend from your childhood
You should say:
Who he/she is
Where and how you met each other
What you often did together
And explain what made you like him/her
Do you still keep in touch with your friends from childhood? Why or why not?
How important is childhood friendship to children?
What do you think of communicating via social media?
Do you think online communication through social media will replace face-to-face communication?
What's the difference between having younger friends and older friends?
Has technology changed people's friendships? How?

Mainland ChinaTopic 28Part 2 / Part 3

A person who loves to grow vegetables at home or in the garden

Describe a person who loves to grow vegetables at home or in the garden
You should say:
Who this person is
What vegetables he/she grows
How he/she grows the vegetables
And explain why he/she loves growing vegetables
What are the advantages of growing vegetables or flowers at home?
Do many people grow vegetables or flowers at home in your country?
Is it easy to grow plants at home?
Why do some people like to grow plants?
Why do some people prefer to grow their own fruits and vegetables instead of buying them from the market?
Do you think students should learn to grow plants?

Mainland ChinaTopic 29Part 2 / Part 3

A person you know who has a successful business

Describe a person you know who has a successful business
You should say:
Who this person is
How you got to know him/her
Why and how he/she started the business
What business he/she does
And explain why you think the business is successful
Why do some people start their own business?
Should governments provide financial support to start-ups?
Do most people prefer shopping at big stores or small stores?
What makes a business successful?
What makes a business fail?
Is it easy to set up a new business in your country?

Mainland ChinaTopic 30Part 2 / Part 3

A person who is good at learning and speaking new languages

Describe a person who is good at learning and speaking new languages
You should say:
How you got to know him/her
How he/she learns a new language
What languages he/she can speak
And explain how you feel about him/her
Are there many people who can speak foreign languages in your country?
Does speaking other languages help at work?
Do people learn any languages other than English?
Why is it easier for children to learn new things than for adults?
How do people learn new things?
What is the most important thing for learning a language well?

Mainland ChinaTopic 31Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you sent a message or an email to someone but received no reply for a long time

Describe a time when you sent a message or an email to someone but received no reply for a long time
You should say:
Who you sent it to
What the message/email was about
Whether you finally received the reply
And explain how you felt about the experience
In what situations do people spend a long time responding to others' messages?
In what situations do people not respond to messages right away?
What would you do if you haven't received a reply after sending out a message?
Why do some people prefer sending a message instead of making a call?
Are you more polite when sending a message to a stranger than to a friend?
Why do some people feel angry when others don't reply to their message?

Mainland ChinaTopic 32Part 2 / Part 3

An advertisement with a famous person in it

Describe an advertisement with a famous person in it
You should say:
Who the person is
Where you can see it
What the advertisement is about
And explain how you feel about the advertisement
What are the advantages and disadvantages of advertisements?
Why are many advertisements endorsed by celebrities? How useful are they?
What is the most important factor in an advertisement?
Why are some advertisements boring?
Is advertising important for a company? Why?
Which is more effective, online advertising or offline advertising?

Mainland ChinaTopic 33Part 2 / Part 3

A person who met difficulties but succeeded

Describe a person who met difficulties but succeeded
You should say:
Who this person is
What difficulties he met
How he overcame the difficulties
And explain how you feel about him
In your country, what industry is it easier to be successful in?
What's the difference between ordinary people and successful people?
What are the factors leading to people's success?

Mainland ChinaTopic 34Part 2 / Part 3

A tall building you like or dislike

Describe a tall building you like or dislike.
You should say:
What it is used for
Where it is
What it looks like
And explain why you like/dislike it
Are there many tall buildings in your country?
What are the differences between those tall buildings in your country?
Why are different places laid out and designed differently?
What are the advantages of living in tall buildings?
Why do some people like to remodel and decorate their homes themselves?
What kind of interior design style do most people like?

Mainland ChinaTopic 35Part 2 / Part 3

A boring place

Describe a boring place
You should say:
Where it is
Who you went there with
What you did there
And explain why you think it is a boring place
Why do most children think education is boring?
Why aren't young people willing to listen to the experiences of older people?
What can people do when they feel bored?
Why are some teachers' classes boring? Are there any solutions?
Why do some young people feel bored when talking with old people?
Do most people think news about celebrities is boring?

Mainland ChinaTopic 36Part 2 / Part 3

A place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others

Describe a place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others
You should say:
What it is
Where it is
What you saw and did there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to others
Where do people in your country often go for holidays?
What is the ideal length for a holiday?
How do people usually plan holidays?
Is it important to plan a holiday ahead?
Why do many countries try to attract people to visit?
How do people decide when to travel?

Mainland ChinaTopic 37Part 2 / Part 3

A home that you like to visit but do not want to live in

Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in
You should say:
Where it is
What it is like
Why you like to visit it
And explain why you would not like to live there
Do Chinese people like to visit others' homes?
What do Chinese people do when they visit others?
What kind of place do people in your country like to live in?
What's the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside?
What kind of gifts do people usually bring when they visit others?
How often do you visit your relatives or friends?

Mainland ChinaTopic 38Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you had a problem with using an electronic device

Describe a time when you had a problem with using an electronic device
You should say:
When it happened
Where it happened
What the problem was
And explain how you solved the problem at last
Why are people keen on buying new electronic devices?
What impact do electronic devices have on people?
What kinds of technology products do people use at home?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of students using technology products?
Do you think young children today are over-reliant on technology products?
Should parents limit their children's screen time?
Why do many young people spend so much time looking at screens?

Mainland ChinaTopic 39Part 2 / Part 3

A challenging technological problem you faced

Describe a challenging technological problem you faced
You should say:
What the problem was
When and where you faced it
How challenging it was
And explain how you solved it
What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI?
Do you think people today should learn about AI technology?
Should children learn to use AI?
How can AI help in our lives?
Do you think students are overly reliant on AI?
What can teachers do to stop students relying too much on AI?

Mainland ChinaTopic 40Part 2 / Part 3

An interesting video

Describe an interesting video
You should say:
When and where you watched it
What it is about
Why you watched it
And explain how you feel about it
What kind of videos do people in your country like to watch?
Which is more helpful, watching videos or reading books?
What skills can people learn from watching videos?
Are there any differences between the videos that young people and old people like to watch?
Are there any differences between the videos that young men and young women like to watch?
What makes a video go viral online?

Mainland ChinaTopic 41Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you got up early

Describe a time when you got up early.
You should say:
When it was
What you did
Why you got up early
And how you felt about it
Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?
Why do people get up early?
What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?
Why do some people like to stay up late?
Is it good to arrive early in any situation?
What kind of people like getting up early

Mainland ChinaTopic 42Part 2 / Part 3

A plan that you had to change recently

Describe a plan that you had to change recently
You should say:
When this happened
What made you change the plan
What the new plan was
And how you felt about the change
Do people often change their plans?
Would you tell others if you change your plan?
Why do you think parents still make plans for their children nowadays?
How does technology help people make plans?
What kind of plans do people often make?
Do you think people like the process of making plans more, or the moment of carrying them out?

Mainland ChinaTopic 43Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you worked in a group

Describe a time when you worked in a group
You should say:
What you did
Who you worked with
What problems you faced
And explain why you worked in the group
Why do some people prefer to work by themselves?
What should a leader do to make team members want to follow him or her?
Should students learn to do group work?
What group tasks are there in schools?
What advantages are there for students experiencing teamwork at school?
How can you tell if a person is a good leader?

Mainland ChinaTopic 44Part 2 / Part 3

A type of food that you ate at special occasions or events

Describe a type of food that you ate at special occasions or events
You should say:
What this type of food is
When do you eat it
Why you would like to eat it in a special event
And explain how you feel about it
What is special about the way this food made?
How have people's eating habits changed compared to the past?
What are the differences between everyday food and festival food?
Do people today prefer eating at home or in a restaurant?
What kinds of food are popular in your country?
Do people in your country like eating foreign food?

Mainland ChinaTopic 45Part 2 / Part 3

A live sports match you have ever watched

Describe a live sports match you have ever watched
You should say:
What it was
When you watched
What it was like
And explain how you felt about it
Why do some people like to watch sports events?
Where do people normally watch sports events?
What are the advantages of watching sports events online?
What are the main differences between watching a sports event live in a stadium and watching it on TV?
What kinds of sports events are most popular to watch in your country?
What types of sports matches are suitable for children to watch?
Why do some people spend a lot going to other countries to watch sports events?

Mainland ChinaTopic 46Part 2 / Part 3

A piece of local news that people are interested in

Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in
You should say:
What it was about
Where you saw/heard it
Who was involved
And explain why people were interested in it
Are there a lot of people talking about local news?
Do young people or the elderly care more about local news?
Do people in your country prefer following local news or national news?
Why do some people want to be very involved in their community?
Do you think local communities were stronger in the past than they are today?
Do you think it is important to have a national identity?
How can people develop their national identity?

Mainland ChinaTopic 47Part 2 / Part 3

An ambition you have had for a long time

Describe an ambition you have had for a long time
You should say:
What it was
How you got the desire to want to achieve it
What you have to do to achieve it
And explain feel about it
What kinds of ambitions do people have?
Why should parents encourage children to have ambitions?
Should parents interfere with their children's ambitions?
Is there any difference between children's ambitions and those of grown-ups?
What goals do young people usually have?
Why are young people ambitious for higher positions?
What should people do to achieve their goals?

Mainland ChinaTopic 48Part 2 / Part 3

An important decision that you made

Describe an important decision that you made
You should say:
What the decision was
How you made your decision
What the results of the decision were
And explain why it was important
Do you think children sometimes have to make important decisions?
What important decisions do teenagers need to make after graduation?
Who can children turn to for help when making decision?
Do you think advertisements can influence our decisions when shopping?
Do you think the influence of advertising is good?
How do people usually make important decisions?

Mainland ChinaTopic 49Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you changed an important opinion of yours

Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours
You should say:
When you changed your opinion
What the original opinion was
Why you changed it
And explain how you felt about the experience
When do most children begin to have their own opinions?
Whose opinions are more important to children, their parents' or teachers'?
Do children communicate more with teachers or with parents?
Who do young people like to share opinions with?

OverseasTopic 50Part 1

Dream and ambition

What was your childhood dream?
Are you the kind of person who stick to dreams?
What is your dream job?
Do you think you are an ambitious person?

OverseasTopic 51Part 1

Evening time

Do you like the morning or evening?
What do you usually do in the evening?
What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why?
Are there any differences between what you do in the evening now and what you did in the past?
Do you spend your evenings doing the same things on both weekends and weekdays? Why?
What do you hate doing in the evening?

OverseasTopic 52Part 1

Sports programs

Do you like watching sports programs on TV?
Do you like to watch live sports games?
Who do you like to watch sports games with?
What kinds of games do you expect to watch in the future?
Do you prefer to watch sports games alone or with a group of friends?
Have you ever watched a sports game in a stadium?

OverseasTopic 53Part 1

Morning routines

What do you do right after getting up in the morning?
Is breakfast important?
What is your morning routine?
Do you like to get up early in the morning?

OverseasTopic 54Part 1

Old buildings

Have you ever seen old buildings in the city?
Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities?
Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?
Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why?

OverseasTopic 55Part 1

Films/cinemas

What films do you like?
Did you often watch films when you were a child?
Did you ever go to the cinema alone as a child?
Do you often go to the cinema with your friends?
Do you think going to the cinema is a good way to spend time with friends?
How often do you watch films?
Do you prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?

OverseasTopic 56Part 1

History

Have you ever been to historical museums?
Do you like history?
When was the last time you read about history?
Did you like history when you were young?

OverseasTopic 57Part 2 / Part 3

A place you would like to visit in your free time

Describe a place you would like to visit in your free time
You should say:
Where it is
What you will do there
How long you will stay there
And explain why you would like to visit it
Why do you think some people choose not to travel abroad?
Do you think a gap period in life is important?

OverseasTopic 58Part 2 / Part 3

A special cake you received from others

Describe a special cake you received from others
You should say:
When it happened
Where it happened
Who you got the cake from
And explain why it's a special cake
What are the differences between special food in China and other countries?
Is there any food in your country that is eaten at special times or on special occasions?
Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?
Do you think it's good to communicate when eating with your family?
In your country, do people nowadays cook at home as frequently as people did in the past?
What do you think of people using their mobile phones during a meal?

OverseasTopic 59Part 2 / Part 3

A time when you organized a happy event successfully

Describe a time when you organized a happy event successfully
You should say:
What the event was
How you prepared for it
Who helped you to organize it
And explain why you think it was a successful event
How can parents help children to be organized?
On what occasions do people need to be organized?
Does everything need to be well prepared?
Do people need others' help when organizing things?
How would you feel when you were not well prepared for something?
Do you prefer to prepare and organize an activity or just take part in an activity?

OverseasTopic 60Part 2 / Part 3

A special day out that cost you little

Describe a special day out that cost you little
You should say:
When the day was
Where you went
How much you spent
And explain how you feel about the day
Do people like to spend their leisure time out in your country?
How do people spend their leisure time in your country?
How does technology affect the way people spend their leisure time?
Do you think only old people have time for leisure?
Why do people like to have days off?
Going out to have holidays is tiring. Why do people still want to do it?

OverseasTopic 61Part 2 / Part 3

An important river/lake in your country

Describe an important river/lake in your country
You should say:
Where it is located
How big/long it is
What it looks like
And explain why it is important
Are rivers and lakes important to a country?
What are the popular water sports in your country?
Are rivers and lakes good for transport? Why?
How do rivers and lakes affect local tourism?
Do you think rivers and lakes attract tourists?
How can rivers and lakes benefit local people?

OverseasTopic 62Part 2 / Part 3

A thing you did to learn another language

Describe a thing you did to learn another language
You should say:
What language you learned
What you did
How it helped you learn the language
And how you felt about it
What difficulties do people face when learning a language?
Do you think language learning is important? Why?
Which is better, to study a language alone or to study it in a group? Why?
What's the best way to learn a language?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning a language?
Some people think that technology has made it unnecessary to learn languages. What do you think?

Is this the complete September-December 2026 bank?

No. It is an early partial preview and will be updated as reports stabilize.

Are these official IELTS questions?

No. They are unofficial reported practice prompts, not official or leaked questions.

Can I practise these Sep-Dec topics in Joe Speaking now?

Not yet. Sep-Dec topic practice is disabled; the May-Aug 2026 bank remains available for practice.