IELTS SPEAKING PREP: list of possible topics

Topic - Friends: Q. Do you have many friends? [Why/Why not?] Q. How often do you go out with friends? [Why/Why not?] Q. Tell me about your best friend at school. Q. How friendly are you with your neighbours? [Why/Why not?] Q. Which is more important to you, friends or family? [Why?]

Topic - People you study/work with: Q. Who do you spend most time studying/working with? [Why?] Q. What kinds of things do you study/work on with other people? [Why?] Q. Are there times when you study/work better by yourself? [Why/Why not?] Q. Is it important to like the people you study/work with? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Names: Q. Did your parents choose your name(s)? Q. How did your parents choose your name(s)? Q. Does your name have any special meaning? Q. Is your name common or unusual in your country? Q. If you could change your name, would you? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Flowers and plants: Q. Do you have a favourite flower or plant? [Why/Why not?] Q. What kinds of flowers and plants grow near where you live? [Why/Why not?] Q. Is it important to you to have flowers and plants in your home? [Why/Why not?] Q. Have you ever bought flowers for someone else? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Food and cooking: Q. What sorts of food do you like eating most? [Why?] Q. Who normally does the cooking in your home? Q. Do you watch cookery programmes on TV? [Why/Why not?] Q. In general, do you prefer eating out or eating at home? [Why?]

Topic - Photographs: Q. What type of photos do you like taking? [Why/Why not?] Q. What do you do with the photos you take? Q. When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards? [Why/Why not?] Q. Do you like people taking photos of you? [Why/Why not?]

Topic- Bicycles: Q. How popular are bicycles in your hometown? [Why?] Q. How often do you ride a bicycle? [Why/Why not?] Q. Do you think that bicycles are suitable for all ages? [Why/Why not?] Q. What are the advantages of a bicycle compared to a car? [Why?]

Topic - Giving gifts: Q. When do people give gifts or presents in your country? Q. Do you ever take a gift when you visit someone in their home? [Why/Why not?] Q. When did you last receive a gift? [What was it?] Q. Do you enjoy looking for gifts for people? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Games: Q. What games are popular in your country? [Why?] Q. Do you play any games? [Why/Why not?] Q. How do people learn to play games in your country? Q. Do you think it’s important for people to play games? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Telephoning: Q. How often do you make telephone calls? [Why/Why not?] Q. Who do you spend the most time talking to on the telephone? [Why?] Q. When do you think you’ll next make a telephone call? [Why?] Q. Do you sometimes prefer to send a text message instead of telephoning? [Why/Why not?]

Topic - Your friends: Q. Do you prefer to have one particular friend or a group of friends? [Why?] Q. What do you like doing most with your friend(s)? Q. Do you think it’s important to keep in contact with friends you knew as a child? [Why/Why not?] Q. What makes a friend into a good friend?

Topic - Musical instruments: Q. Which instrument do you like listening to the most? [Why?] Q. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument? [Which one?] Q. Do you think children should learn to play a musical instrument at school? [Why/Why not?] Q. How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher? [Why?]

Topic - Summer: Q. Is summer your favourite time of year? [Why/Why not?] Q. What do you do in summer when the weather's very hot? [Why?] Q. Do you go on holiday every summer? [Why/Why not?] Q. Did you enjoy the summer holidays when you were at school? [Why/Why not?]