IELTS Speaking · Part 3
Money and finance: IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions
Last updated 2 September 2026
In short
Discussion questions
The examiner usually opens the discussion with: "Do you think people talk about money too much or too little in your country?", then works up from concrete to abstract.
Warm-up (concrete)
Why do you think some people are better at saving money than others?
Cause & effect
Development (societal)
How has the way people pay for things changed in recent years?
ComparisonDo you think money can make people happy?
OpinionShould children be taught how to manage money at school?
Opinion
Depth (abstract & hypothetical)
What are the effects of a society where people spend more than they earn?
EvaluationHow might the way people use money change in the future?
SpeculationIf physical cash disappeared completely, what problems might arise?
HypothesisIs it fair that some jobs are paid so much more than others?
Evaluation
Useful vocabulary for this theme
Band 7+ language for discussing money and finance.
- make ends meet
- manage to pay for your basic needs
- “A lot of families are struggling to make ends meet.”
- save up for
- put money aside over time for something
- “I'm currently saving up for a trip abroad.”
- live within your means
- spend no more than you earn
- “My parents taught me to live within my means.”
- tighten your belt
- cut back on spending
- “We had to tighten our belts after I changed jobs.”
- a rainy day
- a future time of possible need
- “I always put a little money aside for a rainy day.”