IELTS Speaking Practice Question Set: Education

This practice set covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test.

Part 1 lasts 4-5 minutes, Part 2 takes 3-4 minutes, and Part 3 runs for 4-5 minutes.

You can use these questions to prepare for discussions on education.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes)

What subject did you enjoy most in school?
Do you think education is important? Why or why not?
How has technology changed education in your country?
What’s your opinion on homework?
Did you have a favorite teacher? What made them special?
How do you think schools can make learning more engaging?
What extracurricular activities did you participate in during your school years?
Do you think students should wear uniforms? Why or why not?

Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.

Part 2 (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to prepare.

Then speak for 1-2 minutes about:

A memorable learning experience you’ve had

You should say:

What the experience was

Where and when it happened

Who was involved

And explain why it was memorable for you

Part 3 (4-5 minutes)

How do you think education systems will change in the next 20 years?
What role should parents play in their children’s education?
Do you think standardized testing is an effective way to measure student performance? Why or why not?
How can schools better prepare students for the job market?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning?
Should education focus more on practical skills or theoretical knowledge?
How can schools address issues of equality and diversity in education?

Sample answer outlines

Part 1

You can provide brief, personal responses with some elaboration.

For example: “I enjoyed mathematics the most in school. I found it challenging but rewarding, and I liked the logical problem-solving aspects of it.”

Part 2

You can structure your response to cover all points:

Introduction: Mention the learning experience (e.g., a science fair project)

Main points: Discuss what it was, where and when it happened, who was involved

Conclusion: Explain why it was memorable (e.g., boosted confidence, sparked interest in science)

Part 3

You can offer more complex answers showing critical thinking.

For instance: “Education systems in the next 20 years will likely become more personalized and technology-driven. We might see a shift towards project-based learning and skills-focused curricula to better prepare students for rapidly changing job markets.”

Evaluation criteria

Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation

Practice all three parts with a study partner for the best results.

Sample high-scoring responses will be provided in a reply.

Share your practice answers in the comments!

Feel free to try other tests at: Sociology and Culture.

5/5 – (2 votes)

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