English Language Studies: Most Repeated IELTS Speaking Questions 2025

Introduction

IELTS Speaking has three parts:

Part 1: Introduction & familiar topics (4-5 minutes)
Part 2: Long turn / Cue Card (3-4 minutes; you speak for ~2 minutes)
Part 3: Discussion / follow-ups; more abstract / deeper (4-5 minutes)

In 2025, test-takers around the world have reported certain questions, themes, and topic areas repeating frequently. By knowing these, you can prepare smarter, reduce surprises, and build confidence. In this post I’ll cover:

Which topics / question types are appearing most often in each part (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).
Sample repeated or trending questions.
How to structure good responses (especially in Part 2 & 3).
Vocabulary, strategies, mistakes to avoid.

1. Trends & Overview: What’s New or Strongly Repeated in 2025

From multiple sources (IELTS topic reports from students, official IELTS announcements, review blogs), here are the main recurring themes in 2025:

Technology, AI, and Social Media: How they affect daily life, communication, work, education. (Part 1, 2, 3)
Environment & Climate Change / Sustainability: Pollution, climate change, renewable energy, conservation, eco-friendly lifestyles.
Health, Well-being & Lifestyle: Mental health, fitness, habits, work-life balance. Post-COVID, these topics remain strong.
Education & Learning: Formal / informal education, online vs in-person, skills, lifelong learning.
Culture, Traditions & Globalisation: Travel, festivals, cultural identity, foreign language learning, impact of globalization.
Work, Careers, Remote Work: Changing work norms, job satisfaction, what makes a “good job,” remote/digital work.

These themes show up in all three parts, though in different ways (Part 1 is more personal / concrete; Part 3 more abstract / societal / future).

Also, the types of question formats that repeat often:

Compare / contrast (past vs present, old vs young, urban vs rural) (esp. in Part 3)
Giving opinions, discussing advantages/disadvantages.
Hypothetical / future predictions (“What will / might happen?”, “In the future, do you think...”)
Problem / solution questions, especially in environmental, education, health domains.

2. Most Repeated / Likely Questions in Part 1 (Introduction & Familiar Topics)

Part 1 sets the tone. Questions are simpler, more personal, but still need to be answered well. From reports in 2025, these are the topics & specific questions you are very likely to see repeatedly. I group them by theme.

Theme	Sample Repeated / Likely Questions
Daily life / Routine	What is your typical daily schedule? / Tell me about a usual day for you. Do you prefer morning or evening? Has your routine changed recently?
Hobbies / Free Time	What do you like to do in your free time? Have you developed any new interests or hobbies lately? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
Books / Reading / Media / Entertainment	Do you enjoy reading? What kinds of books or genres? Do you prefer printed books or e-books? What TV shows or movies do you like? How often do you listen to music?
Travel & Places	Do you like travelling? What type of places do you prefer to visit (cities / nature)? Do you prefer travelling alone or with others? Tell me about your hometown.
Work / Study / Education	Do you work or are you a student? What subject are you studying or what is your job? Why did you choose that subject / job? What do you like most / least about it?
Health / Fitness	Do you exercise regularly? What kind of physical activity do you do? Is exercising popular in your country? How do you stay healthy?
Technology Use in Daily Life	How do you use technology in your daily life? Do you use social media much? Which devices do you use the most (mobile phone, tablet, etc.)? Has your use of technology changed over time?

Sample Strong Part 1 Questions (repeated)

What do you like to do in your free time / hobby?
Do you read books / which books do you like?
Do you enjoy travelling / describe the last trip you took.
Do you prefer mornings or evenings? Why?
Do you like trying new food / what is your favourite type of cuisine?
How often do you use your smartphone / what do you use it for?

3. Most Repeated / Likely Cue Card Topics (Part 2)

Part 2 (the “long turn”) gives you a cue card with prompts. You have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for about 1-2 minutes. The cue cards reported most often in 2025 include themes already trending. Here are the topics and sample cue cards, plus advice on how to handle them.

Popular / Repeated Cue Card Topics

Here are the topics that keep appearing in 2025:

A memorable journey / trip – describing a trip, what made it memorable.
A person you admire / influenced you – talk about someone who has had an impact.
A time you learned something new / skill – something you taught yourself or learned recently.
A place you like to relax / favorite place – could be somewhere in your city, a natural place, beach, mountain etc.
Describe a gift you gave or received – maybe why it was important.
A difficult decision you had to make – what choice, how decided, what happened.
A public event / celebration in your country – a festival, or something culturally significant.
A piece of technology you use often – how it helps, its downsides.

Sample Cue Card Prompts

To practice, here are cue cards with repeated prompts:

Cue Card 1: Describe a journey you really enjoyed. You should say where you went, who you went with, what you did and explain why it was memorable.

Cue Card 2: Describe someone who influenced you. You should say who they are, how you met them, what qualities they have, and why they have had influence on you.

Cue Card 3: Describe a difficult decision you made. You should say what the decision was, why it was difficult, what you considered, and what happened in the end.

Cue Card 4: Describe a gift you received (or gave) that was special. You should say what it was, who gave it or you gave it, what it means to you and why it is special.

Cue Card 5: Describe a place where you like to relax. You should say what kind of place it is, how often you go there, what you do there and why you prefer relaxing there.

4. Most Repeated / Likely Part 3 (Discussion / Follow-ups) Questions

Part 3 is where the questions become more abstract, allowing you to show your ability to think, analyse, compare, predict, and express opinions. Below are the themes and common question types that are popping up most in 2025, with sample questions.

Repeated Themes in Part 3

Technology & Society: How technology changes communication, work, privacy, social relationships, education, etc.
Environment & Climate: Causes, responsibility (individual vs government), sustainable living, climate change mitigation.
Education & Learning: Role of online learning, future of education, skills vs content, comparisons between vocational and academic, lifelong learning.
Work, Careers, Work-Life Balance: How jobs are changing, remote work, job satisfaction, how work affects lifestyle.
Health & Well-being: Mental health, stress, how modern life affects health, what governments / societies should do.
Culture, Tradition, Globalisation: Preserve tradition vs modernisation, cultural identity, effects of globalization.

Common Part 3 Question Types & Sample Questions

Here are the types and some questions you are likely to face / that have been repeatedly reported:

Question Type	Sample Questions
Opinion-Based	Do you think social media has had a mainly positive or negative impact on society? Is technology more helpful than harmful? What role do governments play in regulating tech?
Compare & Contrast	How is education different today compared to 20 years ago? What are the differences between living in a large city vs a small town? How have fashions of food changed between past generations and now?
Future / Predictions	What will schools be like in the future? How will remote working evolve? Do you think environmental awareness will improve in coming decades?
Problem & Solution	What are the main environmental problems in your country and how can they be solved? What issues do people face with online learning and how to overcome them? How can governments encourage healthier lifestyles?
Advantages / Disadvantages	What are the benefits and drawbacks of working from home? Advantages and disadvantages of social media. Pros and cons of online vs in-person education.
Responsibility / Ethics	To what extent are individuals vs governments responsible for reducing pollution? Should companies be held accountable for environmental damage? Should parents or schools teach children about mental health?

5. Sample Sets of Repeated Questions from 2025

To help you see how it might look in test, here are sample sets (actual / reported) of repeated or similar questions that have shown up in 2025. Use these for drilling and mock speaking.

Sample Set A

Part 1: What do you do? (work or study) | What do you do in your free time? | Do you prefer outdoor or indoor activities?
Part 2: Describe a skill you learned recently.
Part 3:
1. Why is learning new skills important?
2. How do people choose what skills to learn?
3. Will the kinds of skills people need in the future change? How?

Sample Set B

Part 1: Do you like reading? What kinds of things do you like to read? | Books or e-books? | How often did you read as a child vs now?
Part 2: Describe a book you read recently and enjoyed.
Part 3:
1. How has reading (books) changed with technology?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of digital reading vs print?
3. Do you think reading habits are declining? If so, what can be done?

Sample Set C

Part 1: Do you exercise / do sports? | How do people in your country keep fit? | What kind of exercises are popular?
Part 2: Describe a time when you helped someone.
Part 3:
1. Why do people help others?
2. Should people be taught to help?
3. Has the way people help others changed in your society?

Sample Set D

Part 1: Technology – How often do you use a smartphone? | What do you use it for? | Has your use of technology changed?
Part 2: Describe a piece of technology you find useful.
Part 3:
1. Do people depend too much on technology?
2. How does technology affect relationships in family / among friends?
3. What might technology look like in 20 years?

Sample Set E

Part 1: Talk about food / restaurants – Do you enjoy eating out? What kinds of restaurants do you like?
Part 2: Describe a restaurant you recently visited and enjoyed.
Part 3:
1. What makes a good restaurant?
2. How has eating out changed in your country?
3. Do you think more people will cook at home or eat out in the future / due to changing lifestyles?

6. How to Answer Effectively: Structure & Strategy

Knowing topics is one thing; being able to answer well is another. Here are methods and strategies that help you score higher.

For Part 1

Keep it simple, clear, and personal. This part is about showing fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, but you don’t need long, complicated ideas.
Elaborate. Don’t give one-word or yes/no answers. Add reasons or examples. E.g. “Yes, I enjoy reading, especially romance novels, because they help me relax after a busy day. Last week I finished...”
Use a variety of vocabulary & grammar. Even small things like different tenses, linking words (“however”, “on the other hand”, “also”) help.
Be natural. Use your own experiences. If you have to “imagine”, do so but make it believable.

For Part 2 (Cue Card)

You have ~1 minute to prepare, then speak for ~2 minutes. The marks are for fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range & accuracy, pronunciation. So:

Plan a mini-outline in the 1 minute: decide what you’ll say under each bullet in the card. Also think of an opening and a closing line.
Use the 4P method (or similar): Point (what you're describing / main idea), Problem or Parts (break into pieces that match the cues), Perceive / Personal reaction (how you felt / what you thought), Plus future or reflection (if relevant: what you learnt / what you would do differently).
Use a range of tenses when possible: past (for what happened), present (what you think, what something means now), maybe future (what you might do).
Include details and examples: sensory details (what you saw, heard, felt), specific names or times, etc., so your talk feels vivid.
Keep speaking even if you feel stuck: if you lose your track, you can self-correct, change direction, use fillers (“what I mean is...”, “basically…”) but try to maintain fluency.

For Part 3 (Discussion)

Here is where you show higher-level thinking, ability to discuss abstract ideas, give balanced arguments, use examples and comparisons. Tips:

Structure your answer: intro (your opinion), arguments / reasons, example(s), possible counter-argument or alternative view, conclusion.
Use discourse markers: “On the one hand… on the other hand”, “Furthermore”, “Moreover”, “However”, “In contrast”, “Additionally”, “That being said”.
Make comparisons and use hypothetical/future language to show complexity.
Avoid sweeping generalisations (“everyone always… “) without acknowledgment or example. Use words like “many”, “some people”, “often”, “sometimes”.
Relate to your culture / country or life if possible, to give examples. But do not overdo or get off topic.
Watch your grammar & tenses, especially when talking about past vs present vs future.
Be ready to explore the negatives as well as positives, to show balanced thinking.

7. Vocabulary & Useful Phrases

To handle the repeated themes well, here are vocabulary clusters and phrases that are especially useful, grouped by theme.

Theme	Useful Vocabulary & Phrases
Technology	innovation, digital era, automation, virtual communication, artificial intelligence, social media platforms, digital literacy, privacy concerns, cyber security, impact on human interaction
Environment / Sustainability	climate change, global warming, carbon footprint, renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro), conservation, biodiversity, recycle, sustainable practices, eco-friendly, waste management
Health & Well-being	mental health, stress, anxiety, balanced lifestyle, work-life balance, physical exercise, diet / nutrition, mindfulness, self-care, sleep deprivation, wellness
Education & Learning	curriculum, vocational vs academic, remote learning / online learning, lifelong learning, skills development, student engagement, assessment, educational access, knowledge vs practical skills
Work / Careers	remote work, job satisfaction, career growth, work environment, salary vs fulfilment, flexible hours, job security, unemployment, changes in industry
Culture & Globalisation	cultural identity, traditions, modernization, globalization, multicultural society, heritage, foreign influence, fusion culture, preservation of customs

Also useful discourse markers:

Comparison: whereas, while, in contrast, on the other hand
Adding: furthermore, moreover, in addition
Giving examples: for instance, for example, such as, particularly
Hypothetical / predictions: might, will probably / likely, could, in the future, one day
Cause & effect: because of, due to, as a result, therefore

8. Mistakes Candidates Often Make (Especially with Repeated Questions)

Even with repeated topics, many candidates underperform because of avoidable mistakes. Be aware of these so you can correct them.

Short / one-word answers in Part 1. Because they think it’s “just small talk”. But even here, examiners want some detail.
Memorised answers / robotic responses. If you try to memorize long speeches, you risk sounding unnatural or going off topic. Better to internalize patterns and vocabulary, then respond with flexibility.
Not answering all parts of the Cue Card. Often people miss some bullet points, or forget the “why” or “how” or “what reactions / feelings”.
Going off topic in Part 3. Because the discussion is abstract, some people drift into irrelevant areas. Keep linking your answer back to the question.
Lack of structure. Especially in Part 3, answers that just “ramble” without signposting (firstly… secondly…) or logical flow lose coherence.
Poor use of tenses / grammar errors. Particularly noticeable when comparing past vs present vs future (e.g. “when I was younger I am more…”) or mixing inconsistent timelines.
Limited vocabulary / repetition. Using the same simple words over and over. Examiners look for lexical resource; repeating “good / nice / interesting” weakens impression.
Pronunciation & fluency problems. Many candidates speak too slowly, with long pauses, or with hesitation. Practice speaking in full sentences.

9. Practice Plan Using Repeated Questions

Here’s a plan you could follow over, say, 4 weeks, to get ready using the most repeated questions:

Week	Focus	Activities
1	Part 1 themes & vocabulary	List all Part 1 themes (daily routine, hobbies, books, travel, etc.). For each theme, prepare 5-8 questions (from repeated lists) and practice answering. Record yourself, check for fluency, fillers, pronunciation.
2	Cue Card practice	Pick 8-10 repeated / likely cue card topics. For each: spend 1 minute planning + 2 minutes speaking + get feedback (self or teacher). Focus on including all bullet points + emotions / reflections.
3	Part 3 discussion themes	For each theme (technology, environment, education, work), list common question types. Practice giving structured answers with comparisons, examples, future predictions, advantages/disadvantages.
4	Integrated mock tests + feedback	Do full speaking practice: Part 1, 2, 3 in one go, under timed conditions. Record & review. Focus on weak areas (e.g. coherence, vocabulary, grammar). Also practice “off-topic” recovery (if you misinterpret question, or go off track).

10. Sample (Band 9) Mini Answers / Pointers for Repeated Questions

To illustrate how to use these repeated questions, here are brief model sketches / pointers (not full essays, but enough to guide your answer) for some of the repeated questions.

Question	How to Answer / Key Points
Part 1: “Do you enjoy reading? What kind of books do you prefer?”	Start: Yes, very much. I’ve always been an avid reader since childhood. Then: Types (fiction, fantasy, historical, non-fiction) plus example (a book you read recently). Also: why you prefer those, perhaps what reading gives you that other media don’t (imagination, relaxation, learning). Some contrast with reading in childhood vs now.
Part 2: “Describe a trip you enjoyed. Where, who with, what you did, why memorable.”	Plan your answer: • Introduction: name of place, when • Body: journey, activities, people, special moment • Reflection: why memorable, what you learnt Use sensory details (weather, smells, sights). Use past tenses accurately. End with what you would do differently / what you hope to do in a similar trip.
Part 3: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning vs classroom learning?”	Structure: open with own view; then Advantages of online learning (flexibility, access, cost, convenience), Disadvantages (lack of social interaction, distractions, discipline issues, tech dependency). Then compare with classroom learning. Include what might happen in future (hybrid models). Use examples: perhaps from your own experience or your country’s education system. Conclude with your balanced opinion.

11. Frequently Asked / Frequently Reported Questions (Exact Phrasings)

Here are some exact or near-exact questions that have been reported repeatedly (in 2025) by students. Practicing these exact ones is useful.

How has your daily routine changed recently?
What do you usually do in your free time?
Describe a skill you learned recently.
Talk about a person who influenced you.
Describe a place you like to relax.
Do you use a lot of technology in your daily life?
What are the main environmental problems in your country?
How do you think education should change in the future?
Do you think people’s relationships have changed because of technology / social media?
Is maintaining health easier or more difficult now than in the past?

12. What Examiners Are Looking For in 2025

Knowing what the repeated questions are is helpful, but it’s also crucial to know what examiners are scoring you on. Based on reports and the public descriptors:

Fluency & Coherence: speaking naturally, little hesitation, connecting ideas. Even in repeating topics, you must show fluidity and coherence.
Lexical Resource: using a wide range of vocabulary, including topic-specific words, idiomatic expressions, less frequent words, but using them correctly.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy: using different structures (complex sentences, conditional, passive where appropriate), tenses correctly, avoiding frequent errors.
Pronunciation: clarity, stress, intonation, linking, etc. Even with perfect content, weak pronunciation lowers band.

In 2025, because many candidates are more exposed to English (via media, internet, etc.), examiners expect accuracy with modern topics (technology, environment) and ability to discuss somewhat abstract or future-oriented ideas.

13. Summary: Key Takeaways

There are “safe” topics you can almost guarantee will appear: technology, habits / lifestyle, health, travel, education, culture.
Repeated questions often refer to your personal experience, then lead into more abstract discussion.
Practice with the repeated questions, but adapt your answer; don’t memorize rigid scripts.
In Part 3, structure, comparisons, predictions, causes & effects, problem & solution types are frequent.

14. Practice Checklist Before Your Test

Here’s a checklist you should go through a few days before your speaking test, using the repeated questions & themes.

Can I speak for ~2 minutes on the common cue cards without stopping?
Do I have 10-15 “go-to” examples (stories) from my life (education, travel, work, experiences) that I can use flexibly for many topics?
Am I comfortable giving opinions + comparisons + making predictions?
Do I know vocabulary for technology, environment, health, culture well? And can I use them naturally?
Have I recorded myself answering repeated Part 1 questions to check fluency, grammar, pronunciation?
Have I practiced Part 3 type questions and structured answers with introduction, reasons, examples, conclusion?

Conclusion

In 2025, IELTS Speaking has shown fairly consistent repeating of certain topics and question types. By focusing your preparation around these, you can cover a large part of what might appear in your test. But beyond recognizing topics, your ability to speak confidently, coherently, with good vocabulary, using examples, comparisons, predictions will distinguish higher bands.

If you practice regularly using the sample repeated questions, correct the common mistakes, and polish your fluency & pronunciation, you significantly raise your chance of doing well.

English Language Studies

Most Repeated IELTS Speaking Questions 2025 | Part 1, 2 & 3 Sample Answers