Can I ask the examiner to repeat a Part 3 question?

Yes. You can ask the examiner to repeat or rephrase a question. It does not reduce your score if it happens occasionally.

Is it okay to say I don't know?

Say why you are unsure and then give a possible view, for example 'I'm not an expert, but I imagine...'. This still shows language ability.

How can I practise Part 3 alone?

Practise speaking out loud with follow-up questions. The free IELTSora AI Speaking Partner asks Part 3 style questions and gives feedback.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: How to Answer Discussion Questions with Depth

How to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions: common question types, a simple answer structure, linking phrases and how to sound natural without memorising.

By IELTSora teaching team · Updated 5 November 2026 · 2 min read

How Part 3 is different

Part 3 lasts about four to five minutes and follows the Part 2 topic, but the questions become abstract: society, the future, comparisons and causes. The examiner wants to see whether you can develop and justify ideas, not just describe your own life.

Answers of two or three sentences are usually too short. Aim for roughly 20 to 40 seconds per answer, but stop naturally when your point is complete.

Common question types

Most Part 3 questions fall into a few patterns. Recognising them helps you choose a structure quickly:

Opinion: 'Do you think children should learn to cook at school?'
Compare: 'How is shopping today different from shopping in the past?'
Cause and effect: 'Why do many young people move to big cities?'
Predict: 'How might transport change in the next twenty years?'
Evaluate: 'What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?'

A simple answer structure

Give a direct answer, explain the reason, add an example or a contrast, and if useful finish with a short qualification. This keeps your answer organised without sounding rehearsed.

Example answer

Q: Why do many young people move to big cities?

A: Mainly for opportunities, I think. Universities and better-paid jobs tend to be concentrated in cities, so moving there feels almost necessary. In Bangladesh, for instance, a lot of students go to Dhaka for higher education. That said, remote work is slowly making smaller towns more attractive.

Useful phrases that buy thinking time

It is fine to pause briefly. Phrases such as 'That's an interesting question; I haven't thought about it much, but...' or 'It depends on...' sound natural. Avoid repeating the same filler every time, and never memorise full answers, because examiners are trained to notice them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask the examiner to repeat a Part 3 question?: Yes. You can ask the examiner to repeat or rephrase a question. It does not reduce your score if it happens occasionally.
Is it okay to say I don't know?: Say why you are unsure and then give a possible view, for example 'I'm not an expert, but I imagine...'. This still shows language ability.
How can I practise Part 3 alone?: Practise speaking out loud with follow-up questions. The free IELTSora AI Speaking Partner asks Part 3 style questions and gives feedback.

Put this tip into practice

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