IELTS Speaking Part 3
Education and lifelong learning
Practise discussing broader issues connected with education. These are original discussion prompts, not official or predicted exam questions.
Original practice material · Draft: editorial review pending
Practice questions
1. How has education changed over the last generation?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
2. Why do people have different attitudes towards education?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
3. What benefits can education bring to individuals or communities?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
4. What problems can arise when education is handled poorly?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
5. What role should schools, families or employers play in education?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
6. Should governments invest more public resources in education? Why or why not?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
7. How might education develop over the next twenty years?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
8. How might attitudes towards education differ between generations or cultures?
- Give a clear position.
- Explain the main reason or trade-off.
- Support it with an example.
- Acknowledge a different perspective when useful.
Develop your ideas
- compare past and present
- explain causes and effects
- consider advantages and disadvantages
- give an example
- qualify an opinion
- suggest a realistic solution
Useful language
- One important factor is…
- A possible downside is…
- Compared with the past,…
- It depends on…
- For instance,…
- In the long term,…
An example to develop
- An evening class can let a working parent learn a new skill, but its timetable may still exclude someone who works night shifts. Explain both access and its limits.
- Choose a relevant question above. State your view, explain how this example supports it, and consider one limitation. These are hypothetical practice examples, not research claims.
Practise your answer
Use the existing speaking practice tools, or type instead. This is practice feedback, not an IELTS band score.
up to 90 seconds practice.