In my last post, I took an IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 sample from the official IELTS website and gave you my sample answer

In Part 3 of the Speaking Test you are required to talk in detail about a wider, perhaps more abstract, topic area than in Part 2.  There is, however, a thematic link between Parts 2 and 3.

So let’s look at the topic card I discussed in my last post:

Describe a teacher who has greatly influenced you in your education.

You should say:

1.  where you met them

2.  what subject they taught

3.  what was special about them

4.  explain why this person influenced you so much.

In this Part 2 example, you are asked to talk about a teacher.  The wider topic area in Part 3 of this test would therefore probably be concerned with education in general.

Let’s look at some example questions about the topic Education in General.

• How important do you think traditional education is for a child nowadays?

Now, I’m not going to give sample answers for this part of the test as it really depends on YOUR opinion.

Personally, if I were the candidate here, I’d probably talk about the fact that I believe traditional reading, writing and arithmetic skills are still important nowadays but that vocational skills are becoming increasingly more necessary.  I also believe that a certain amount of ‘social education’ is necessary.

Of course, your opinions may be very different from mine.

In this part of the test, it is important for you to give your opinions.  Don’t worry if you think the Examiner may not agree with your opinion.  The Examiner does not give you a Band Score based on your opinion; he/she gives you a Band Score based on your level of English.

This is the one part of the IELTS Speaking Test where the Examiner can talk freely and not just follow questions on a card.  Basically, Part 1 is personal questions, Part 2 is an individual long turn and Part 3 is a two-way discussion.

As a result, the Examiner will ask you questions about your answer and enter into a discussion with you.

Let’s look at few more example questions:

• Should governments spend more on education than they do at present?

Obviously the answer to this question depends on your opinion.  You may think that governments should spend more on education or you may think that there are other priorities.

• Should parents choose their child’s future profession or should children be free to make their own decisions?

This question might lead into such areas as ‘the rights of the child’, private education, which generation understands the world better etc.

• Why do you think that some parents choose ot educate their children at home?  Is this a good thing?

This question might lead into the area of the advantages and disadvantages of home schooling and public education or into a discussion about the current state of our schools etc.

As Part 3 leads into some quite abstract areas, it’s often a good idea to give examples, which will help you clarify your ideas.

Don’t worry if the Examiner stops you to say it is the end of the test.  In order to make the IELTS Test fair for all, there are guidelines for the minimum/maximum length of the parts of the test.

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!