The final section of the IELTS Speaking test — Part 3, the discussion — is often where your band score is decided. In this 4–5 minute conversation, the examiner asks questions linked to your Part 2 cue card topic, but noticeably broader and more abstract: instead of talking about yourself, you now have to discuss society, trends and the future. In this article we'll look at the main Part 3 question types, a strong sample answer for each, and a clear formula for extending your answers.
How Part 3 works
Part 3 is the final stage of the test and lasts 4–5 minutes. Here is how it runs:
- The examiner asks broader questions connected to your Part 2 topic. For example, if your cue card was "a skill you would like to learn", Part 3 might ask "Why do some people find it hard to learn new skills as adults?"
- It's a two-way discussion: the examiner responds to your answers with follow-ups — "Why do you think so?", "Can you give an example?"
- There's no cue card and no preparation time — you think on your feet.
- The questions usually move from easier to harder, with the most abstract ones at the end.
Tip: there is no "correct answer" in Part 3. The examiner isn't assessing what you think — only how fluently, logically and richly you express it. You can even disagree with the premise of the question, as long as you justify your position.
How Part 3 differs from Part 1
The two parts look similar on the surface — both are question-and-answer. But their nature is completely different. Part 1 questions are about your personal life, while Part 3 demands generalisation and analysis:
| Aspect | Part 1 | Part 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | About you: work, study, hobbies | About society: trends, problems, the future |
| Question style | Familiar and concrete | Abstract, requiring opinion and analysis |
| Expected answer | 2–3 sentences | 3–4 sentences, with reasons and examples |
Put simply: Part 1 asks "Do you like reading?", while Part 3 asks "Why do people read less than they used to?"
The 5 main Part 3 question types (with sample answers)
Each sample answer below is at roughly Band 7+ level — this is the kind of response the examiner is hoping to hear.
1. Opinion questions
Do you think children today spend too much time on screens?
"Yes, to a large extent I do. Children are surrounded by phones and tablets from a very early age, and many of them spend several hours a day on screens. In my country, for example, it's completely normal to see a toddler watching cartoons on a phone in a restaurant so that they sit quietly. That said, screens aren't all bad — some educational apps genuinely help children learn — but I'd say the balance has clearly tipped too far."
Notice the shape: the answer opens with a clear opinion, gives a reason and an example, and finishes by acknowledging the other side ("That said...").
2. Comparing past and present
How has the way people communicate changed compared to the past?
"It's changed dramatically. A generation ago people communicated mostly face-to-face, by letter or over a landline, whereas now the bulk of our interaction happens through messaging apps and social media. My grandparents, for instance, used to wait weeks for a letter from relatives abroad, while today we can video-call them instantly. The downside, I'd argue, is that communication has become faster but also more superficial."
3. Predicting the future
How do you think education will change in the future?
"I imagine it will become far more personalised. Instead of one teacher delivering the same lesson to thirty students, AI-based tools are likely to adapt the material to each learner's pace and weaknesses. We can already see early signs of this in language-learning platforms that adjust to your level. Of course, teachers won't disappear — I suspect their role will simply shift from delivering information to mentoring."
4. Advantages and disadvantages
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?
"The main advantage is opportunity: big cities offer better jobs, universities and healthcare, which is exactly why so many young people move to the capital. On the other hand, you have to accept the higher cost of living, the traffic and the pollution, which can seriously affect your quality of life. On balance, I'd say city life suits ambitious young people, while families with children often prefer somewhere calmer."
5. Hypothetical questions
If people worked a four-day week, how would society change?
"I think the effects would be largely positive. People would have more time for their families and hobbies, which would probably improve both mental health and productivity. In fact, some companies that have trialled a four-day week report that employees get the same amount of work done in less time. Having said that, essential services like hospitals and public transport couldn't easily adopt it, so the change wouldn't work for everyone."
The answer-extension formula
The biggest mistake in Part 3 is the one-sentence answer. A strong answer runs to 3–4 sentences and follows this formula:
- Opinion — answer the question directly: "I think...", "To a large extent..."
- Reason — explain why you think so: "because...", "the main reason is..."
- Example — give a concrete example or observation: "for example, in my country..."
- Concession — acknowledge the other side: "that said...", "of course, ... but..."
This formula gives your ideas a clear shape, extends your answer naturally, and creates space to show off your grammatical range and vocabulary. Every sample answer above is built on exactly this structure.
Useful phrases
| Function | Phrase | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Giving an opinion | As far as I'm concerned... | Open a direct, confident opinion |
| Giving an opinion | I'd argue that... | A stronger, debate-style stance |
| Giving an opinion | From my point of view... | A softer, more personal stance |
| Comparing | Compared to the past... | Set up a then-vs-now contrast |
| Comparing | Whereas previously..., now... | Contrast two periods in one complex sentence |
| Comparing | There's been a noticeable shift towards... | Describe a trend precisely |
| Speculating | It's likely that... | Make a measured prediction |
| Speculating | I can imagine that... | Soften a speculative idea |
| Speculating | In the long run, we might see... | Hedge a long-term forecast |
Tip: if a question feels difficult, don't go silent — buy time with "That's a tricky question, let me think for a second..." It sounds natural and does no damage to your fluency score.
The most common mistakes
- One-sentence answers — stopping at "Yes, I think so" is the most damaging habit in Part 3. Always add a reason and an example.
- Memorised speeches — the moment the examiner rephrases a question, a memorised script falls apart, and it's instantly recognisable. Memorise phrases, not answers.
- Drifting off topic — answer the question you were actually asked; steering the conversation towards a pre-prepared "favourite" topic hurts your score.
- Only personal examples — Part 3 asks about people in general. Use a personal example, but bring your conclusion back to the general level: "...and I think this is true for most people."
Conclusion and next steps
Part 3 isn't a talent you're born with — it's a skill you build through practice. Every day, pick one abstract question, answer it in 3–4 sentences using the formula, and record yourself; within a few weeks you'll hear the difference.
To progress faster, practise with the AI speaking practice on CrushIELTS: you answer questions in the real exam format and instantly get a band practice estimate with specific feedback on every response. Sign up and start today. And if you need a complete study plan, explore our IELTS preparation roadmap.
