IELTS Academic · Speaking

Speaking test: Describe a piece of news you heard or read recently

17 questions · 14 minutes · Speaking prompt

Start this test

On the computer-delivered layout, timed like test day, and marked by our AI examiner on all four criteria.

Part 1: Part 1

Questions 1–12

The examiner asks you about yourself and familiar topics.

  1. 1 Do you work or are you a student?
  2. 2 What is a typical day like for you?
  3. 3 Do you prefer to work or study alone or with others?
  4. 4 Is there anything you would like to change about your work or studies?
  5. 5 How many hours do you usually sleep?
  6. 6 Do you find it easy to get to sleep?
  7. 7 Do you ever sleep in the afternoon?
  8. 8 Is there anything you would like to change about your sleep?
  9. 9 Do you enjoy shopping?
  10. 10 How often do you go shopping for food?
  11. 11 Do you prefer shopping online or in shops?
  12. 12 Is there anything you would like to change about shopping in your area?

Part 2: Part 2

Question 13

You have one minute to prepare, then talk for one to two minutes.

Describe a piece of news you heard or read recently.

You should say:

  • what the news was
  • where you heard or read it
  • who it was about

and explain why it interested you.

  1. 13 Describe a piece of news you heard or read recently.

Part 3: Part 3

Questions 14–17

The examiner asks more general questions linked to Part 2.

  1. 14 Where do most people get their news today?
  2. 15 Is there too much bad news in the media?
  3. 16 Should news be free?
  4. 17 How can young people be encouraged to follow the news?

More Speaking tests