Recent IELTS Speaking questions — July 2026 (Part 1, 2 & 3 with model answers)

IELTS Speaking topics rotate on a roughly three-to-four-month cycle, and the same themes are reported by test takers around the world during each window. Below are the topics most commonly reported in the July 2026 cycle, grouped by Part 1, 2 and 3, with sample questions and model approaches. These are representative topic round-ups compiled from candidate reports — not official exam content — so treat them as high-value practice material, not a script.

Part 1 — familiar topics reported this month

Part 1 asks short questions about you and your life. Commonly reported July 2026 topic areas:

• Hometown & home — Where do you live? What do you like about it? Would you move?
• Work or study — What do you do? Why did you choose it? What's the hardest part?
• Daily routine & mornings — Are you a morning person? Has your routine changed?
• Technology & phones — How often do you use your phone? What apps do you use most?
• Weather & seasons — What's your favourite season? Does weather affect your mood?
• Music — What music do you like? Has your taste changed since childhood?

Part 1 model answer

Q: Do you prefer texting or calling your friends?

Model: "I'm definitely a texter. It's quicker and I can reply whenever suits me, whereas a call sometimes comes at a bad moment. That said, if something's important or emotional, I'll always call — you just can't read someone's tone in a message."

Part 2 — cue cards reported this cycle

Part 2 gives you a card, one minute to prepare, and 1–2 minutes to speak. Cue cards commonly reported in July 2026:

• Describe a skill you would like to learn.
• Describe a person who has influenced you.
• Describe a time you helped someone.
• Describe a place you visited that was full of history.
• Describe an app or website you find useful.
• Describe a decision that took you a long time to make.

Part 2 model approach — 'a skill you would like to learn'

Use your prep minute to note one keyword per bullet, then tell it as a small story so you never run dry: "The skill I'd most like to learn is public speaking. I first realised I needed it during a university presentation when my nerves got the better of me… I'd learn it by joining a local speaking club and recording myself… and honestly it would change my life, because confidence in front of people opens doors in almost every career." Spend the most time on the final 'explain how it would change your life' prompt — that's where the higher bands are won.

Part 3 — discussion questions reported this cycle

Part 3 broadens your Part 2 topic into abstract discussion. Commonly reported follow-ups:

• Skills & learning — Should schools teach practical skills? Do people learn better from teachers or on their own?
• Influence & role models — Who influences young people most today? Is celebrity influence a good thing?
• Technology — Has technology made us more or less social? Will it replace human jobs?
• History & places — Why is it important to preserve old buildings? Should governments fund museums?

Part 3 model answer

Q: Do you think people rely too much on technology today?

Model: "In some ways, yes. We reach for our phones for things our parents did from memory — directions, arithmetic, even remembering birthdays. On the other hand, I'd argue it's less 'over-reliance' and more a sensible shift: if a tool does something faster and frees your mind for harder problems, that's progress. The real risk is losing skills entirely, so a balance matters."

How to use these questions

• Record yourself answering — don't just read. Fluency comes from speaking, not planning.
• Time Part 2 strictly: one minute prep, then two minutes talking without stopping.
• For every Part 3 answer, give an opinion, a reason, and a 'that said…' counterpoint.
• Review against the four criteria: Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation.

Practise this month's topics with instant feedback

Reading questions isn't practice — speaking them is. On IELTSVega you can record answers to real Part 1, 2 and 3 questions (with the built-in Part 2 prep timer), then get instant AI band scoring against all four Speaking criteria. Run through this month's topics a few at a time and your confidence builds fast before test day.