IELTS Speaking topics September–December 2026: practice cue cards
Last verified 8 October 2026 · 6 min read · ieltspractice.app
Quick answer
No list can tell you your exact IELTS Speaking questions for September–December 2026, because test materials must stay in the test room. The test starts with familiar topics, such as home, family, work and studies. Below are 24 original practice cards by theme, with a generator and timer.
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How the Speaking test works
The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, and it is recorded. It takes 11–14 minutes and has three parts. It is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
In Part 1 (4–5 minutes), the examiner asks general questions about familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies or interests.
Part 2 is the long turn, which means you speak alone about one topic. The examiner gives you a task card, also called a cue card. It names the topic and lists the points to cover. You get one minute to prepare, with a pencil and paper for notes.
Then you talk for up to 2 minutes, and the examiner stops you when the time is up. The examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic. Part 2 takes 3–4 minutes, including the minute to prepare. Our Part 2 cue card guide explains each step.
In Part 3 (4–5 minutes), you and the examiner discuss ideas linked to your Part 2 topic, in a more general way. Read how to extend your Part 3 answers to get ready for it.
| Item | Value (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | 5 |
| Part 2 | 4 |
| Part 3 | 5 |
IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics: what to prepare
IELTS says Part 1 uses familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies or interests. The questions are about yourself, what you do and where you come from. Below are four themes worth preparing, with example questions we wrote for practice.
Home. What kind of home do you live in? Which room do you spend most time in? What would your ideal home be like?
Work or study. What do you like most about your job or your course? Did you choose this work or subject yourself? What would make your work or studies easier?
Hobbies and free time. What do you enjoy doing after work or classes? Have your hobbies changed since you were a child? Is there a hobby you would like to start?
Daily routine. What is the busiest part of your day? Do you prefer mornings or evenings? Is your routine different at the weekend?
These are original practice questions, not real exam questions. Give a direct answer first, then add a reason or a short example.
24 practice cue cards for September–December 2026
Each card below has a topic, the points to cover and one Part 3 question on the same idea. The last point always asks you to explain something, like the cards in the test.
Say each answer out loud and time it. The generator at the top of this page gives you a random card, a 1-minute prep timer and a 2-minute talk timer. You can also open the cue card generator on its own page.
| Theme | Cue card | Part 3 example |
|---|---|---|
| People | Describe a neighbour who has been helpful to you. You should say: who this person is; how long you have known them; what they did to help you; and explain why you remember it well. | Why do some people know their neighbours well while others do not? |
| People | Describe a teacher who taught you something important. You should say: who the teacher was; what subject they taught; how they taught it; and explain what you learned from them. | What makes a teacher good at their job? |
| People | Describe a friend who makes you laugh. You should say: who this friend is; how you met; what you do together; and explain why they make you laugh. | Why is a sense of humour important in friendships? |
| Places | Describe a quiet place where you like to relax. You should say: where the place is; how often you go there; what you do there; and explain why it helps you relax. | Why do some people need quiet places more than others? |
| Places | Describe a small town or village you have visited. You should say: where it is; when you went there; what you saw and did; and explain how it was different from a big city. | Why do many young people move from villages to cities? |
| Places | Describe a public building you find interesting. You should say: what the building is; where it is; what it looks like inside and outside; and explain why you find it interesting. | Why do cities spend money on beautiful buildings? |
| Objects | Describe a gift you received that was useful. You should say: what the gift was; who gave it to you; when you received it; and explain why it has been useful. | Why do people enjoy giving gifts? |
| Objects | Describe something old that you keep at home. You should say: what the item is; how long you have had it; where you keep it; and explain why you have not thrown it away. | Why do people keep things that have no practical use? |
| Objects | Describe an electronic device in your home that you could not easily replace. You should say: what the device is; who bought it and when; what you mostly use it for; and explain why it would be hard to replace. | Are people too dependent on technology today? |
| Experiences | Describe a time when you lost something and found it again. You should say: what you lost; where and when it happened; how you found it; and explain how you felt afterwards. | Why do people lose things more often when they are in a hurry? |
| Experiences | Describe a time when you had to wait for a long time. You should say: what you were waiting for; where you were; what you did while you waited; and explain how you felt about waiting. | Are people less patient now than in the past? |
| Experiences | Describe a family celebration you enjoyed. You should say: what the celebration was for; who was there; what you did and ate; and explain why you enjoyed it. | Why do families like to celebrate special days together? |
| Activities | Describe a sport or exercise you would like to try. You should say: what the activity is; where you could do it; who you would do it with; and explain why you want to try it. | Why do many adults find it hard to exercise regularly? |
| Activities | Describe a meal you cooked for other people. You should say: what you cooked; who you cooked for; how you prepared it; and explain how the people reacted. | Do people cook at home less than they did in the past? |
| Activities | Describe a hobby you do in your free time. You should say: what the hobby is; when you started it; how often you do it; and explain what you enjoy about it. | Why do some people have many hobbies and others have none? |
| Media | Describe a film you enjoyed watching. You should say: what the film was about; where and when you watched it; who you watched it with; and explain why you enjoyed it. | Why are films popular all around the world? |
| Media | Describe a website or app that you find useful. You should say: what it is called; what it does; how often you use it; and explain why it is useful to you. | How has the internet changed the way people learn? |
| Media | Describe a song or piece of music that reminds you of a time in your life. You should say: what the music is; when you first heard it; what was happening in your life then; and explain why it reminds you of that time. | Why can music bring back strong memories? |
| Work & study | Describe a time when you studied or worked with a group. You should say: what the task was; who was in the group; what your part was; and explain what you learned from the experience. | What are the benefits of working in a team? |
| Work & study | Describe a job that you admire. You should say: what the job is; what the person does every day; what skills it needs; and explain why you admire it. | Why do some jobs get more respect than others? |
| Work & study | Describe a skill you learned that helps you in your studies or work. You should say: what the skill is; how you learned it; how long it took; and explain how it helps you now. | Is it better to learn skills in a class or by yourself? |
| Future plans | Describe a place where you would like to live in the future. You should say: where the place is; what you know about it; what your life there might be like; and explain why you would like to live there. | Why do people choose to move to other cities or countries? |
| Future plans | Describe a change you would like to make to your daily routine. You should say: what the change is; why you want to make it; how you would start; and explain how it would improve your life. | Why is it useful to set goals? |
| Future plans | Describe a trip you would like to take one day. You should say: where you would go; who you would go with; what you would do there; and explain why you want to make this trip. | Why do so many people enjoy travelling? |
IELTS Speaking topics with answers: one sample answer
Here is a sample answer to one of our cards: “Describe a time when you had to wait for a long time.” We wrote it for practice. Read it out loud, then try the same card with your own story.
“I’d like to talk about a time last year when I waited nearly five hours for a train. I was going to my grandparents’ village for my cousin’s wedding, and I was at the main railway station in my city.
“The train was late because of heavy rain on the line. At first, I just sat on a bench and checked my phone every few minutes. After an hour, my battery was almost dead, so I bought a cup of tea and started talking to an older man next to me. He told me stories about how the station looked fifty years ago.
“To be honest, I was annoyed at the beginning, because I thought I would miss the wedding dinner. But in the end, I felt quite calm. The conversation made the time pass quickly, and I learned that waiting is easier when you stop fighting it.”
How to prepare 24 cards in a few weeks
You do not need a different answer for every card. Group the cards by theme, and choose one or two true stories for each theme.
One story can serve several cards. For example, a visit to your grandparents’ village could answer the small town card, the long wait card and the family celebration card.
Practise three cards a day, and you will finish all 24 in eight days. Then do them again with the timer, and try to keep talking for the full 2 minutes.
If you often stop or repeat yourself, read about fluency and coherence. This is the part of your Speaking mark for talking smoothly, with ideas that link together. To see how your Speaking band joins the other three skills, read how IELTS band scores are calculated.
A 2-minute answer, step by step
Use the prep minute
Write three or four key words for each point on the card, not full sentences. Choose one true story or example before the minute ends.
Follow the points in order
Answer the points in the same order as the card. This gives your talk a clear shape, and you are less likely to forget one.
Add an example
For each point, add one detail, such as a name, a place, a time or a feeling. Details help you keep talking for the full 2 minutes.
Finish with the explain point
The last point starts with “and explain”. Give your reason here, and say how you feel about it now. If you finish early, add one more detail.
More cue-card guides with sample answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 2: the cue card guide
- Describe a person who has influenced you
- Describe a place you have visited
- Describe a piece of technology you use
- Describe a book you have read
- Describe a skill you learned
- Describe a memorable journey
- Describe a dish you love
- Describe a celebration you enjoyed
- Describe a childhood memory
- Describe a useful object you own
- Describe a hobby you enjoy
- Describe an interesting conversation
- Describe a time you helped someone
- Describe a film you watched
Page published
24 original practice cards for September–December 2026, Part 1 practice questions and a sample answer.
Facts checked again
We removed a claim about how often Speaking topics change, because IELTS does not publish this.
Frequently asked questions
What are the IELTS Speaking topics for September–December 2026?
No one can give you the exact list, because all IELTS test materials, including the Speaking booklets, must stay in the test room. The test starts with familiar topics, such as home, family, work and studies. The 24 cards on this page are original practice cards for these months.
Are these real IELTS questions?
No. These are original practice cards, not real exam questions. We wrote them to match the Part 2 format: a topic, points to cover and a last point that asks you to explain. Practise the format, not one exact topic.
Do IELTS Speaking topics change every few months?
IELTS does not publish when, or how often, Speaking topics change. Test materials must stay in the test room, so be careful with any list that claims to have this season’s questions. Prepare themes, such as people, places and experiences, rather than a fixed list. We plan to refresh our own cards every four months so you have new ones to practise.
How long is IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Part 2 takes 3–4 minutes, including one minute to prepare. You then talk for 1–2 minutes, and the examiner stops you when 2 minutes are up. After that, the examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic.
Can I make notes in Part 2?
Yes. The examiner gives you a pencil and paper to make notes during your one minute of preparation. Write key words, not full sentences, so you finish in time.
How many cue cards should I prepare?
There is no fixed number, and no list can cover every topic. Practise all 24 cards on this page, grouped by theme, so you have stories you can reuse for other topics. Three cards a day takes about eight days.
Can I practise with an AI examiner?
Yes. On ieltspractice.app, the AI examiner runs a full Speaking test, Parts 1–3, with its own questions, not these cards. Full tests are part of Pro, our paid plan. A free account gets one Part 1 trial after two graded Reading, Listening or Writing tests.
Is the Speaking test the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training use the same Speaking test, so these cards work for both.
Sources
- IELTS: IELTS Academic Speaking test format
- IELTS: IELTS General Training Speaking test format
- IELTS: test types (Speaking is the same in Academic and General Training)
- IDP IELTS: how to perform at your best in the Part 2 long turn
- IDP IELTS Bangladesh: Speaking topics (Part 2: speak for 1–2 minutes)
- IDP IELTS India: notice to candidates (test materials stay in the test room)
- IDP IELTS: how to perform at your best in Speaking part 1
Facts on this page last checked against these sources on 8 October 2026.
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