IELTS Speaking Part 3
Volunteering and citizenship
Practise discussing broader issues connected with volunteering. These are original discussion prompts, not official or predicted exam questions.
Original practice material · Draft: editorial review pending
Practice questions
1. How has volunteering 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 volunteering?
- 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 volunteering 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 volunteering 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 volunteering?
- 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 volunteering? 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 volunteering 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 volunteering 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
- Someone with limited free time could help at one event rather than make a weekly commitment. Explain why flexible roles may broaden participation.
- 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.