IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion Questions & Strategies
7 min read · Updated 10 June 2026
Part 3 is where high bands are won. Learn how to give developed opinions, speculate, and compare — with sample questions and band-9 answers.
Part 3 is a 4–5 minute discussion of abstract questions linked to your Part 2 topic. If Part 2 is about a skill you'd like to learn, Part 3 might broaden to education, technology, or how society values different skills. This is the part that separates a 6 from an 8, because it rewards developed ideas and complex language.
What examiners are really testing
They want to hear you do three things: give a clear opinion and justify it, speculate about the future or hypotheticals, and compare and contrast. If you can do those three things fluently, your band climbs.
A structure for developed answers: PEEL
- Point — state your view directly.
- Explain — give the reasoning behind it.
- Example — make it concrete with a real or hypothetical case.
- Link — round it off, or acknowledge the other side.
Sample questions and band-9 answers
Q: Do you think schools should teach practical skills as well as academic subjects?
Absolutely, I'd say that's essential. The reason is that a lot of what students need in adult life — managing money, basic cooking, even communication — simply isn't covered by traditional subjects. For instance, plenty of graduates leave university without ever having been taught how to budget or file taxes, which seems like a real gap. So while academic knowledge clearly matters, I think a balance of the two would prepare young people far better for the real world.
Q: How might the way we learn skills change in the future?
I imagine technology will reshape it quite dramatically. We're already seeing AI tutors that adapt to each learner's pace, and I'd expect that to become the norm rather than the exception. If that happens, learning could become far more personalised — instead of one teacher for thirty students, everyone might have a tailored programme. That said, I don't think it'll ever fully replace human teachers, because motivation and encouragement are hard to automate.
Phrases like 'I'd say', 'I imagine', 'I'd expect that to', and 'that said' do a lot of work — they signal opinion, speculation, and contrast, which is exactly what Part 3 rewards.
How to handle a question you have no opinion on
You don't need strong views — you need English. If a topic is unfamiliar, talk about both sides: 'I can see arguments both ways. On one hand… on the other hand…'. That demonstrates range even when you're undecided.
Put this into practice
Take a free mock test with an AI examiner and get your band score in under 30 seconds.
Start free test →Frequently asked questions
How is IELTS Speaking Part 3 different from Part 1?+
Part 1 covers familiar personal topics with short answers, while Part 3 is a deeper discussion of abstract ideas linked to your Part 2 topic. Part 3 answers should be longer and more developed, with opinions, reasons and examples.
What if I don't have an opinion on a Part 3 question?+
You don't need a strong opinion — you need to show your English. Discuss both sides using phrases like 'on one hand… on the other hand…'. Examiners score your language, not whether your view is correct or decisive.
How long should Part 3 answers be?+
Longer than Part 1 — roughly 30–45 seconds each. Use a structure like Point, Explain, Example, Link so you develop the idea rather than just stating it.