IELTS Speaking Part 3: A Structured Approach to Complex Questions

Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test is often where candidates feel the most pressure. It’s the stage where the questions become more abstract, your thinking needs to be more critical, and, of course, your language has to show range and precision.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what actually happens in Part 3, the main types of questions you’ll face, and a simple structure you can use to give clear, well-developed answers.

If you want the complete training session, you can watch the full YouTube lesson here: https://youtu.be/NP2nz3Y3n-8

What Happens in IELTS Speaking Part 3?

Part 3 lasts about four to five minutes. You’ll usually answer four to six questions, and all of them are linked to the topic you discussed in Part 2. The key difference is that Part 3 moves away from personal experience. Instead, the examiner asks you to discuss ideas, opinions, predictions, and (potentially) broader social issues.

This section of the test is designed to measure higher-level thinking and advanced English. If you’re aiming for Band 7 or higher, Part 3 is especially important for you.

Why Part 3 Matters

Part 3 gives you the opportunity to demonstrate:

Advanced vocabulary and grammar – language that goes beyond everyday conversation.

Critical thinking – the ability to discuss abstract or social issues clearly.

Depth and precision – moving from quick answers to well-supported ideas.

Think of it this way: in Part 1 you speak about yourself, in Part 2 you tell a story, and in Part 3 you discuss abstract ideas.

Common Question Types in Part 3

Common question types in IELTS Speaking Part 3

The questions you face in Part 3 are not random. They fall into a few main categories, and each category is designed to bring out a particular type of language. Recognizing the category helps you respond in the right way.

1. Opinion and Evaluation

These questions ask for your view or reaction to an idea. For example:

Do you think it’s better to live in a city or in the countryside?

Some people say young people today are less respectful. Do you agree?

The focus here is expressing a clear opinion and supporting it with reasons. Useful language includes:

                  •               Personally, I believe that…

                  •               From my perspective…

                  •               I tend to agree with the idea that…

                  •               It really depends, but generally speaking…

2. Comparison and Contrast

These questions ask you to compare two things, often across time. For example:

How is education today different from the past?

Are families closer now than they used to be?

They give you the chance to use comparative language (more than, less than, the same as), as well as tenses that show change over time. Try phrases such as:

                  •               Compared to the past…

                  •               Nowadays, people tend to… whereas in the past…

                  •               In contrast to earlier generations…

                  •               Over the years, we’ve seen a shift towards…

3. Future Predictions

These focus on possibilities and speculation. For example:

How do you think people will travel in the future?

What changes do you expect in the workplace over the next 20 years?

Here, the goal is to use language of probability and prediction rather than certainty. Useful phrases include:

                  •               I think we’ll probably see more…

                  •               It’s likely that in the future…

                  •               I wouldn’t be surprised if…

                  •               There might be a trend towards…

4. Cause and Effect / Problem–Solution

These questions require logical reasoning. For example:

Why are people becoming less physically active?

What can be done to encourage healthier lifestyles?

Your answer should explain causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Some useful phrases are:

                  •               This is mainly due to…

                  •               As a result of this…

                  •               This trend has been caused by…

                  •               One possible solution could be…

                  •               To tackle this issue, we could…

5. Hypothetical

These ask you to imagine situations that are not real. For example:

If you could live in any country, where would you choose?

What would happen if public transport were free?

Here you’ll use conditional forms and speculative language. Examples include:

                  •               If I had the chance, I would…

                  •               In an ideal world…

                  •               If that happened, it might lead to…

                  •               Supposing that were true…

                  •               Let’s imagine a situation where…

Using a Clear Structure for Your Answers

Knowing the question type is only half the work. The other half is structuring your answer in a way that feels complete and organised.

The best approach is to treat every answer like a short, spoken paragraph. Think of it as three simple steps:

Make your point – Directly answer the question.

Explain what you mean – Add reasons or logic to support your idea. Imagine somebody constantly asking you “What do you mean?”

Give an example – Use a concrete illustration to make your answer clear. Stick to examples from your own life or ideas that are familiar to you.

This structure—point, explanation, example—keeps your answers focused and avoids going off-topic. It also mirrors the way paragraphs are built in IELTS Writing, which makes your preparation more consistent across the test.

PEE Framework

How to Practice

To really benefit from this approach, you should practise in two ways:

·      Work with functional language lists. These are sentence starters and useful expressions connected to each question type. Keep them in front of you while practising.

·      Train yourself to think in paragraphs. Every time you answer, follow the point–explanation–example pattern until it becomes natural.

This practice will improve not only your speaking but also your writing, since both require clear, structured thinking.

Developing Awareness Through Reading

Another way to strengthen your Part 3 performance is to read more consciously. When you read articles, essays, or model IELTS answers, pay attention to how ideas are introduced and developed.

Ask yourself:

How does the writer move from one idea to the next?

Why do they use a particular tense or structure?

How do they give examples or evidence?

Whenever you notice an effective phrase or structure, write it down. Building your own bank of useful expressions will give you more confidence when speaking.

Let’s wrap it up

Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test is not about giving long answers. It’s about giving well-structured answers that demonstrate depth and precision.

To succeed, we recommend you:

·      Recognise the question type.

·      Use the point–explanation–example structure.

·      Practise with functional language and conscious reading.

And please remember: having a structure reduces stress. You won’t feel like you’re improvising everything on the spot. Instead, you’ll know exactly how to approach each question.

For a complete breakdown of IELTS Speaking Part 3, including detailed examples and extra practice materials, watch the full YouTube lesson here: https://youtu.be/NP2nz3Y3n-8

IELTS Speaking Part 3: A Structured Approach to Complex Questions (full training)