Below are predicted topics for IELTS Speaking Part 1 in 2023. The majority of the topics are recycled from topics that have been previously used. New topics are often related in some way to well known main topics. Even though part 1 is the easiest part of the IELTS speaking test, make sure you start on the right foot by preparing comprehensively.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics 2023
Below is a list of likely topics that will appear during 2023. While you should be preparing all these topics, please do not ignore the common topics which are also likely to appear (there’s a link at the bottom of this post). During part 1, you will be given about 3 topics with a total of around 12 questions. This part lasts for 4-5 mins. See further down the page for typical questions for part 1, common topics, tips and useful links.
- Appearance: hair styles & cuts, sloppy or tidy appearance, first impressions, importance of appearance
- Animals: pets & wild animals, zoos
- Art: museums, galleries, photos, paintings, drawing
- Books & Reading: magazines, newspapers, articles, internet, children’s stories, novels
- Celebrations & Festivals
- Clothes & Fashion: casual/comfortable/formal/work/traditional clothes, accessories (bags, sunglasses, shoes, jewelry), particular articles of clothing such as trousers, shirts
- Colours
- Dancing
- Family & Friends
- Food & Cooking: meals, family meals, snacks, desserts & sweets, fast food, restaurants, cooking skills, cooking in schools
- Happiness & Laughing
- Health
- Home – this is a main topic and frequently asked
- Hometown – this is a main topic and frequently asked
- Housework
- Internet: website, surfing, shopping, socialising, apps (learning, useful, fun, maps, calendars, photos)
- Music: songs, concerts, singers
- Name: your name meaning, choosing names
- Nature: parks, gardens, flowers, trees, environment
- Noise: types of noise in everyday life, noise pollution, noise avoidance, silence, peace, mental health
- Planning & Organising
- Remembering: diaries, schedules, calendars, remembering numbers, concentration, phone apps for planning and remembering
- Security: passwords, keys, alarms
- Shops & Shopping: local shops, things to buy, first purchases, online shopping
- Sky or Space: sci-fi films, space travel, planets , school learning about space, star gazing, night sky, clouds, weather signs, seasons
- Sport & Exercise: team games, individual games, keeping fit, places for exercise
- Study or Work – this is a main topic and frequently asked
- Taking photos: types of photos, equipment, apps, family photos, holiday photos
- Travel & Holidays
- Teachers, School & Subjects: your childhood teachers, memorable teacher, lessons, art, drawing, science, calculations (maths), languages, sport, school rules
- Weekends & Free Time
- Work or Study – this is a main topic and frequently asked
What about the Questions?
All the topics above will most likely include the following question types: your favourite, your childhood memories, your childhood likes/dislikes, key past memories, first times, recent events in your life, your abilities, your opinions, your country, popular choices in your country, your future hopes, descriptions, how often you do something, how long you’ve been doing something, how something could be improved.
Lets see an example of applying those question types to a predicted topic: Appearance (Hair)
- Do you have a favourite hair style?
- What kind of hair style did you have as a child?
- Did you like that hair style?
- Is there a hair style you have had that you particularly remember?
- Have you recently changed your hair style?
- When did you last have your hair cut?
- Can you cut your own hair or do you go to a hairdresser or barber?
- Do you think it’s important to have a fashionable hair style?
- What kinds of hair styles are popular for women or men in your country?
- Do you plan to change your hair style?
- How often do you get your hair cut?
- How long have you had your current hair style?
- If you could change anything about your appearance, what would it be?
As you can see, it is possible to easily predict the questions you will be asked by following the list I’ve given you. So, for each topic listed above, prepare all those possibilities. Remember this isn’t about your knowledge of a topic, it’s about your life and your country in part 1.
Important Tips for Speaking Part 1
Tip 1: DO NOT memorise your answers when you prepare topics and questions. Just refresh your memory relating to each topic based on the possible questions and prepare key vocabulary that you think will help you answer. In the actual test, your answers must come naturally. Tip 2: Always answer directly. Don’t dance around the question, just be direct. Then add a bit more detail to explain. These are short answer questions which means the answer ought to be between 2-3 sentences long. Some answers might be slightly shorter and some longer. Tip 3: The examiner might interrupt your answer. This is normal. Let the examiner decide when it’s time to move on to the next question. Be prepared for that and just focus on the next question. Tip 4: You can ask for the question to be repeated. It won’t affect your score and could give you a bit of thinking time. Tip 5: Be natural, be open, be chatty in your speaking test. It is an informal chat with the examiner covering a range of topics. Tip 6: You can’t ask for the topic to be changed. Even if you don’t like the topic or don’t have much knowledge, you can still answer questions about your first memories, your opinions, your childhood, popular opinions etc. IELTS is not a test of knowledge. Each question is just a chance to chat and show your English. Tip 7: Also prepare from the list of common topics for speaking part 1. Click here: COMMON SPEAKING PART 1 TOPICS
Useful Links:
Click below to open the useful pages for IELTS Speaking Part 1 exam preparation:
- IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topics
- How long should my answer be?
- All IELTS Speaking Tips & Model Answers
Good luck in your test. Let me know how it goes.
All the best, Liz
……………………………………………..
Free Subscribe to Receive my New Posts by Email
thank you so much with the materials uploaded so far i have improve. please i have a question concerning part one of the speaking test.
if i am being ask a question “where do your parents live or do you live with your parents”? but i was raised by a single mother.
do i have to say i live with only my mum and she’s a single mother?
There are no trick questions in IELTS. Just answer naturally – the same as you would talking to a a new friend. Yes, you would simply say “I live with my Mum, who is a single parent (or single mother).” But because this is a part 1 question, the examiner is not interested in facts, the examiner is only interested in your English. So, add a bit more “I live with my mother who, is a single parent. It’s just myself and her, I don’t have any siblings”. Adding more is essential in IELTS and gives the examiner a chance to hear more of your English and fluency. Aim to speak until the examiner interrupts you.
Get well soon darling
Thanks very much
Hi, Liz! Got the topic about accessories on my speaking test a few days ago and all sorts of questions about free time. Your list of predicted topics is very accurate! Got an overall band of 7.5. Thanks to you and your site!
I’m so pleased for you. Band 7.5 is a great score!! Very well done 🙂
thanks
Wishing you a quick recovery. My prayers are with you.
Thanks
Hello Liz,
I’m just here to show my gratitude towards you. I had my exam a few days ago and was able to achieve an overall band score of 8.5. Your website played an instrumental part in my preparation. Wishing you a speedy recovery. May the Almighty bless you!
Jahid
I’m so pleased for you. Very well done to you 🙂 A fantastic score!
Why don’t you post new video materials anymore?
Because I’m fighting a serious long-term illness and have been for many years now. Each year is extremely hard for me. But I do try to keep my website posts up as much as I can. When I feel my health and life are more stable, I’ll try to make videos again but it will take time.
get well soon Dr Liz..god bless u❤️
Dear Liz
So sorry to hear that you are ill and have been suffering a long term disease. Same question I had about your silence in your channel . Now I got the answer. Your lessons helped me a lot . Million people from all over the world got benefited by you . You will get prayer from them for quick recovery.
I will specially pray for your quick recovery.
God bless you.
Mohsin Uddin
Thanks
I hope you recover Liz! You are an all-time inspiration. Lots of power to you!
Thanks
Hi Liz,
I want to say, you look so friendly in videos. And your videos are so useful.
Today I had speaking test and I was asked to talk about a polluted city, what kinds of actions should be taken. Tomorrow, I will have reding, writing and listening. Wish me good luck..
Thank you especially for your support and making it for free..
Lots of luck!!
I am sorry to hear about your condition. I wish you a speedy recovery Liz. Your website is such a valuable tool for all. God bless you.
Regards
Mark
Thanks so much
Hi Liz,
I just want to appreciate you for your kind heart in taking time to create this site to support those preparing for IELTS.
I had my test (CBT) on Saturday and used only your website to prepare, and in less than a week. I had an overall score of 8.5
Listening 8.5
Reading 9.0
Writing 7.0 (To be honest, this was on me, as I didn’t manage my time well which made me rush my Essay)
Speaking 9.0
Thank you so much.
God bless you and I pray He grants you sound health.
Kind Regards,
Blessing
Great to see your results, Blessing! Very well done, particularly in the Reading section 🙂
Sorry to hear that! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your material with the rest of us and wish you all the best in your struggle against that illness! Love and strength from Argentina
Thanks. I appreciate that.
It has been a year since I heard about your serious illness. Before that when I saw you with that smile on your face, I always got some kind of relaxation and calmness, but now I can’t even look at your picture. But you are so kind and compassionate that guide us somehow and wish to help all of us. I ask the Lord to have an extra consideration on you and you get your health as soon as possible.
Longlive Liz, Long live Liz
Thank you for your very lovely message. I really appreciate it
Get well soon ma’am. You are full of life and I wish you live long ❤️
Thanks so much
I hope this helps me a lot because I am still about to go for an iELTS test😊wish me success ma’am
Lots of luck!
Thanks for sharing lots of information.. I hope i l do best with your guidance..
Hello Liz,
I realized I was to sit for the IELTS exam sometime mid January and I booked my exam for 11th February. I got my result today and I got a band score 8.
I am writing this to thank you for every single lesson and guide you put out here for all of us. I used only your website for the preparation and I am glad I did.
Thank you Liz. We love you so much!
That’s a great score!! Very well done 🙂 And thank you for coming back to share your results 🙂
Hi Liz, I hope you are doing well.
I did my IELTS on 7.1.2023 and got an 8 overall, using your website among other things. I just want to see that I had the exact same topic with the exact same prompts you posted – about a photograph you took. Thank you!
A great score!! Very well done 🙂
Thanks for this tips they were really helpful
My gratitude to you for all you have done. I truly appreciate you and your time spent helping students all over in many occasions. I enjoyed every minute of your lesson as well as your marvelous sense of humor.
love and warm regards from Bhutan 🇧🇹
Takecare
stay blessed 🙌 Ma’am Liz
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you find my lessons useful. Greetings to all in Bhutan 🙂
Liz,
Sincerely, you are efficient, helpful and kind. These qualities that you beutifully own and share should be rewarded with a well deserved prize.
Best teacher and best esl collegue for the decade!
I wish someone in a higher position authority in the ESL community could do something……
Best regards
Thanks for your thoughtful comment
I hope you’ll post more videos on IELTS Liz channel. Your last video was 7 years ago and I just don’t know why. I really like your videos and your web. Thank you!
This is due to a serious long term illness which prevents me from making videos. Hopefully, I’ll start again when my health is stronger and more stable.
Get well soon. may god bless u with a stable health.
Thanks for this
Well educated.
God bless ma’am.
Well educated.
Good bless ma’am.
I am interested. I love your lecture. You are too intelligent.
Thank so much for this opportunity.
Hey mam,
I am Nayeem. I am from Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩. I watch your video from YouTube. Would like to tell me why you are not uploading new videos on YouTube in the based on new exam pattern?? Because your videos are very helpful to understand ☺️. Please mam.
This is due to having a serious long term illness. When my health is more stable and stronger, I’ll continue making videos. However, I don’t know when that will be.
Hi liz, I’m sorry to hear that you are sick . hope you will be much better soon.
And thanks a lot for your great effort and all the new material which you provide us with.
Dear liz,
We are deeply sorry to hear that you are sick. May Allah the Almighty cure your illness and bless you with a very happy and long, healthy life for the good deeds and unhesitant support that you havr provided for many struggling learners all over the world.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Oh my! I wish you a speedy recovery!!!
Thanks
Hi Liz, thank you for all the materials. There really helping me as I prepare to take ielts this year
You’re welcome 🙂
Thanks Liz for the help and effort’s being rendered. I’m so grateful.
May you be blessed always.
I’m glad my posts are useful 🙂
Thank you so much for all you tips, Liz.
I teach IELTS and have a fabulous group of students who I really want to succeed in the exam later this year.
I find your advice and up to date information are extremely helpful.
Stephanie
I’m glad you are enjoying my site.
Perfect as always! I can’t thank you enough.
You’re welcome 🙂