IELTS Speaking Topic [Forecasts and Predictions]

Welcome to this IELTS Speaking Practice Question Set on forecasts and predictions.

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

Part 1 takes approximately 4-5 minutes, Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes, and Part 3 is about 4-5 minutes long.

Simply use these questions to prepare for your test and improve your speaking skills.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes)

How often do you check the weather forecast?
Do you usually trust weather predictions?
Have you ever made a prediction that came true?
How do you think technology will change in the next five years?
Do you prefer to plan ahead or take things as they come?
How do people in your country typically prepare for natural disasters?
Do you think it’s possible to predict the future of the job market?
How has the ability to forecast weather impacted modern life?

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 on this topic:

Describe a time when a forecast or prediction significantly affected your plans.

You should say:

What the forecast or prediction was

How it affected your plans

What you did as a result

How you felt about the situation

Part 3 (4-5 minutes)

How reliable do you think economic forecasts are in guiding government policies?
In what ways might over-reliance on forecasts be problematic for society?
How do you think advancements in AI will impact the accuracy of various types of forecasts?
Should schools teach students how to interpret and critically evaluate forecasts and predictions?
How might the increasing availability of data affect our ability to predict future trends?
Do you think there are any aspects of life that are truly unpredictable? Why or why not?
How can individuals balance planning for the future with living in the present moment?

Sample answer outlines

Part 1

“I check the weather forecast almost every day, usually in the morning before I leave for work. I find it helpful for planning my activities and deciding what to wear. While I generally trust weather predictions, I’ve learned that they’re not always 100% accurate, especially for long-term forecasts. So, I usually take them as a guide rather than a certainty.”

Part 2

“I’d like to talk about a time when a weather forecast significantly affected my plans. Last summer, I had organized a big outdoor birthday party for my best friend. The day before the event, the forecast predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms for the entire day of the party. This prediction forced us to quickly change our plans. We decided to move the party indoors and had to call all the guests to inform them of the change. We also had to rearrange some of the activities we had planned. Although it was stressful at the time, I felt relieved that we had the forecast to prepare us. Interestingly, on the day of the party, it only rained for about an hour, but we were glad we had made the change anyway as it removed the uncertainty.”

Part 3

“The reliability of economic forecasts in guiding government policies is a complex issue. While these forecasts can provide valuable insights and help in planning, they’re inherently uncertain due to the multitude of variables involved in economic systems. Governments should use economic forecasts as one tool among many when making policy decisions, but not rely on them exclusively. It’s crucial to consider other factors such as social impact, long-term sustainability, and potential unforeseen events. Additionally, governments should be transparent about the limitations of these forecasts when communicating policies to the public. This approach can help maintain trust while still benefiting from the insights that forecasts can provide.”

Evaluation criteria

Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource
Pronunciation
Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Practice all three parts with a study partner if possible.

This will help you become more comfortable with the format and improve your speaking skills.

Please share your practice responses in the comments.

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

For more speaking practice test, you can visit Green Transportation And Carbon Reduction and Food And Cuisine.

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