IELTS Speaking · Part 3
Education and schools: IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions
Last updated 2 September 2026
In short
Discussion questions
The examiner usually opens the discussion with: "What do you think makes a school a good place to learn?", then works up from concrete to abstract.
Warm-up (concrete)
Why do some students do well at school while others struggle?
Cause & effect
Development (societal)
How is education in your country different from how it was a generation ago?
ComparisonDo you think exams are a fair way to measure ability?
OpinionWhat are the benefits and drawbacks of studying online rather than in a classroom?
Evaluation
Depth (abstract & hypothetical)
Should governments spend more on education than on anything else?
OpinionHow do you think schools will change as technology develops?
SpeculationIf every child had a private tutor, would education improve?
HypothesisIs it more important for schools to teach knowledge or to teach children how to think?
Evaluation
Useful vocabulary for this theme
Band 7+ language for discussing education and schools.
- rote learning
- memorising facts without really understanding them
- “At my school there was too much rote learning and not enough discussion.”
- a well-rounded education
- a broad, balanced schooling across many subjects
- “I was lucky to get a well-rounded education that covered the arts and sciences.”
- sit an exam
- to take a formal examination
- “I always get quite nervous whenever I have to sit an exam.”
- play truant
- to stay away from school without permission
- “I never once dared to play truant when I was at school.”
- fall behind
- fail to keep pace with the rest of the class
- “If you miss too many lessons, it's very easy to fall behind.”