"Othello" written by William Shakespeare play explores themes of jealousy, manipulation, betrayal

NEW IELTS Speaking Part 2 in 2020 (Jan – May 2020) – Updating 

1. A House or Apartment You Would Like to Live In  

Part 2:

Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.

You should say:

• where it is / Where it would be
• what you would (like to) do there
• who you would (like to) live there with
• and explain why you would like to live in this place.

Part 3:

Do you think it’s better to rent or to buy a place to live in?

How easy is it to find a place to live in your country?

Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents?

What options are available to young couples looking for accommodation in your country?

What are some of the pleasures involved in making a home for ourselves?

2. An Interesting Animal You Have Seen  

Part 2:

Describe an interesting animal you have seen

You should say:

What animal it was

When and Where you saw it

And explain how you feel about this animal

Part 3:

What kind of animals do people have in their home?

Many animals are extinct these days. What do you think about this? Why is it happening?

Earlier people used animals for their work. Now, what do people use to do their work?

Researchers are being conducted on animals, is this a good idea?

3. A Successful Small Business  

Part 2:

Describe a successful small business that you know about.

You should say:

• what business/company it is
• what this business does
• how you know about this business
• and explain why you think this business/company is successful.

Part 3

• What qualities are required to become a company leader (or, CEO or, manager)?
• In general, what factors do you think determine whether a small company will become successful or not?
• Do you think high technology plays an important role in a company’s development?
• What do you think of charitable organizations?
• Which do you think is better, to start your own business or to work for others?

4. A Crowded Place You Went To

Describe a crowded place you’ve been to

You should say:

when you went there

where the place is (or, was)

who you went there with

and explain how you felt about the place.

Part 3

• Why do many people enjoy going to crowded places?
• Where (or what) would you say is the most crowded place in your city?
• Would you say it’s important for a city to have amusement (and/or recreational) facilities?
• Why do you think people choose to live in big cities (despite the problems)?
• How do you think cities overseas are different to those in your country?
• Would you say urban planning is important?

5. A Family Member You Spend Time With

Part 2

Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with. You should say:

• who this person is
• what you usually do together
• what kind of person he/she is
• and explain why you spend the most time with him/her.

Part 3

• What are the advantages of strong family relationships?
• How many generations are usually living under one roof in your country?
• What are the benefits, and drawbacks of a family of several generation living together?
• Do parents have equal responsibilities in taking care of their children?
• When taking care of a baby (or young child), what do you think are the differences between a father and a mother?

6. A Person Often in the News

Part 2

Describe a person who is often in the news, and who you would like to meet.

You should say:

• who this person is
• how you know him/her
• why he/she is often in the news
• and explain why you would like to meet him/her.

Part 3

• What is the difference between new media and old media?
• Do you think the contents in the newspapers are reliable?
• Do you think it’s necessary for people to watch foreign news?
• How has social media changed how we consume news?
• What kinds of (famous) people are usually in the news in your country?

7. A Desired Change to Your Local Area

Part 2:

Describe a change that could improve your local area.

You should say:

what the change would be

how this change could be made

what problems are causing the need for this change

and explain how this change would improve your local area.

Part 3:

Why do old people not accept changes?

Do you think it’s important for people to socialize with their neighbors?

How do people socialize with their neighbors?

8. A performance you enjoyed watching

Part 2

Describe a performance you enjoyed watching.

You should say:

what the performance was

when and where you watched the performance

who was performing (or, who performed)

and explain why you enjoyed the performance.

Part 3

Do you think traditional performances are important?

What do you think is the difference between watching a live performance and watching it on TV?

How do you think watching a dance performance or a stage play influences children?

An Important Text Message

Describe an important a text message you received.

You should say:

who sent the message

what was in the message

why the person sent the message

and explain why the message was important to you.

Part 3

Why do some people dislike using text messages?

Have the ways that people communicate changed much in the recent few decades?

Why don’t people make phone calls instead of texting?

Do you think scientific development has any negative influence on communication?

What do you think are some of the main differences between communicating by writing and communicating by speaking?

A uniform you have worn

Describe a uniform you have worn, (such as a school or company uniform).  You should say:

what it looked like

when and where you needed to wear this uniform

who paid for this uniform

and explain how you felt about that uniform.

Part 3:

What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform?

In your country, do schools provide similar uniforms to their students?

What kinds of professions need to wear uniforms?

Do you think people wear clothes that reflect their personality?

Do you think women’s clothes show more variety than men’s clothes?

A Time When Someone Apologised to You 

Describe a time when someone apologized to you. You should say:

when this happened

what you were doing

who apologized to you

and explain why they apologized to you.

Part 3        

What kinds of people are most likely to say sorry?

In what situations do you think people need to (or, should) apologize?

What do you think of those people who don’t apology very often?

An Article to Help People Improve Their Health

Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the Internet that could help people improve their health. You should say:

when you read it

where you read it

what it was about

and explain why (you think) it could improve people’s health.

Part 3

How do you think people could become more healthier?

Are there any differences between the way old people and young people try to stay healthy?

Do schools in your country have any special activities to enhance the fitness of students?

Do you think people in the future will be doing more exercise and eat healthier than they are today?

A Trip by Public Transport 

Describe a trip you took by public transport. You should say:

when it happened

what means of transport you took

what you did during the trip

and explain how you felt about the trip.

Part 3

Do you think traffic jams would be reduced if people could travel on public transport for free?

Why do you think more and more people prefer to travel by plane?

What kinds of obstacles do you think some local governments have to face when they develop transportation infrastructure?

A Challenging Thing You Did

Describe a challenging thing you have done. You should say:

when you did it

why you did it

how you handled this challenge

and explain why you though it was challenging.              .

Part 3

What challenges do young people face today?

How do (young people) handle difficult or challenging tasks?

Which do you think is better, to face these difficulties and challenges alone or to seek the help of others?

Do you think people need to be challenged?

A Person Who Taught You 

Describe a person who taught you something important. You should say:

who this person was

what they taught you

how they taught it to you

and explain why you think what they taught is important.

Part 3

In what ways can we encourage others to accept new ideas and things (accept innovation)?

Can you suggest how we could make children more interested in learning?

Who would you say is more important to the education of a child, the parents or teachers?

A Member of a Team  

Describe a member of a team who you know about. You should say:

what team it is

what role in the team this person plays

and explain why you like him/her

Part 3

In a team, is it more important to pursue individual development or to achieve team targets?

Do you think it’s important for children to join teams in order to learn to cooperate with others?

Do you think disagreements among team members have a great influence on the teamwork?

Can you suggest how teamwork could be cultivated in classes at school?

A Job You Would Not Like to Do

Describe a job you would not like to do. You should say:

what the job is

how you know about it

whether it is an easy or difficult job

and explain why you would not like to do it.

Part 3

How do you think AI (artificial intelligence) will affect people’s work?

What would you say are the important factors to consider when choosing a career?

That technology will make some people lose their jobs. How do you think this problem should be handled?

Would you ever move to work and live in another city?

Is it common in your country for people to move to other cities because of work?

When young people choose their jobs, which do you think is usually more important, the salary or their interest in the work?

Something Exciting You Did

Describe something exciting that you did/ Describe an exciting experience you have had.

You should say:

when you did it

where you were when you did it

who you did it with

and explain why it was exciting for you.

Part 3

Do you think it’s necessary to spend a lot of money on holding a party?

Do people in your country spend much money celebrating birthdays?

Do people in your country usually go out to celebrate traditional festivals with others?

Not Allowed to Use Mobile Phone

Describe a time when you couldn’t use your mobile phone. You should say:

where it was

what you were doing at this time

when it was

and explain why you were not able to use your mobile phone.

Part 3

• Do you think there should be regulations on the use of mobile phones?
• What do you think of primary school students owning a mobile phone?
• What (minimum) age do you think is appropriate for owning a cell phone?

Prevented by the Weather

Describe a time when the weather prevented you from doing something. You should say:

what your plan was

what weather you were hoping for

what happened

and explain how you felt when you had to change your plans.

Part 3

• Do people in your country enjoy talking about the weather, as a small chat, when they meet each other?
• What types of weather do people (in your country) prefer, cold or hot weather?
• What kinds of people care most about the weather?
• Would you say weather forecasts are usually accurate?

Something Difficult to Use

Describe something you bought that was difficult to use at first. You should say:

what it was

why you bought it

how you use it

and explain why it was difficult to use at first.

Part 3

• Do you often buy new things?
• Would you say that advertising makes people buy more news things than they would if there was no advertising?
• Do you think old(er) people have difficulties using some things that young people do not?