IELTS Speaking Part 3: How to Develop Ideas and Opinions
The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts. While Part 1 focuses on personal questions and Part 2 asks you to speak at length about a single topic, Part 3 is where examiners look for your ability to discuss issues in depth, give opinions, and develop arguments logically. Many candidates struggle with this part because they need to think quickly, provide extended answers, and sound natural at the same time.
This guide will show you how to develop your ideas and opinions effectively in Part 3, with strategies, structures, and examples to help you move from short, basic responses to strong, well-supported answers that demonstrate fluency, coherence, and critical thinking.
1. Understanding IELTS Speaking Part 3
In Part 3, the examiner will ask 4–6 questions related to the Part 2 topic but from a more abstract or analytical perspective. For example, if Part 2 was about “a book you enjoyed,” Part 3 might ask:
Why do people still read books when there are movies and the internet?
How can governments encourage young people to read?
Do you think the way people read will change in the future?
The focus shifts from personal stories to opinions, analysis, and discussion of wider social issues.
What the examiner looks for:
Fluency and coherence: Can you keep talking logically without long pauses?
Lexical resource: Do you use a range of vocabulary, including topic-specific words?
Grammatical range and accuracy: Do you use complex sentences correctly?
Pronunciation: Do you speak clearly and naturally?
2. Why Many Students Struggle
They give short answers like “Yes, I agree” or “No, I don’t think so” without elaboration.
They repeat the question instead of offering fresh ideas.
They lack examples to support their points.
They feel pressure to find the “right” answer, when in fact any opinion is fine as long as it is logical and well-supported.
Remember: IELTS is not testing your knowledge of politics, economics, or culture. It is testing your communication skills. You don’t need the “best” answer—you just need a clear, developed answer.
3. The Four-Step Strategy to Develop Ideas
Here’s a simple but powerful method you can apply to almost any Part 3 question:
State your opinion clearly.
Explain your reason(s) in detail.
Give an example (personal, social, or hypothetical).
Conclude by connecting back to the question or showing balance.
Think of it as the O-R-E-C formula: Opinion – Reason – Example – Conclusion.
Example Question:
“Do you think technology has changed the way we communicate?”
Opinion: Yes, definitely.
Reason: Because people now rely heavily on messaging apps and social media instead of face-to-face interaction.
Example: For instance, even in professional environments, colleagues often use email or group chats instead of talking directly.
Conclusion: So overall, technology has made communication faster but sometimes less personal.
This four-step structure turns a short one-sentence answer into a well-developed mini-paragraph.
4. Useful Structures to Extend Your Answers
When speaking, it helps to have “building blocks” ready. These phrases make your answers longer and more organized:
Giving an opinion
I personally believe that…
From my point of view…
In my opinion, the main reason is…
Explaining reasons
This is mainly because…
One important factor is that…
The reason behind this is…
Giving examples
For instance…
A good example of this is…
To illustrate this point…
Balancing / concluding
On the other hand, some people argue that…
Nevertheless, I still think…
So overall, I would say…
Using these expressions naturally can buy you a few seconds of thinking time while making your answer sound more structured.
5. Developing Critical Thinking for IELTS
Part 3 often requires abstract thinking. You may be asked to compare, evaluate, or predict. Here are some common question types and how to handle them:
a) Comparison Questions
Example: “Do you think living in the countryside is better than living in cities?”
Compare both sides briefly.
State your preference with reasons.
Sample Answer: “Both places have their advantages. Cities usually provide more job opportunities and better services, while the countryside offers a more peaceful environment. Personally, I think cities are better for young people starting their careers, but countryside life might be more suitable for retirement.”
b) Cause and Effect Questions
Example: “Why are more people choosing to shop online these days?”
Identify the causes.
Discuss the effects.
Sample Answer: “This trend is mainly because online shopping saves time and often money. As a result, traditional shops are losing customers, and businesses are shifting to e-commerce platforms.”
c) Future Prediction Questions
Example: “How do you think education will change in the future?”
Predict logically.
Use language like will, may, might, likely to.
Sample Answer: “I believe online learning will become more common, especially with the development of virtual reality. Students might not need to attend physical classrooms as often, although face-to-face interaction will still be important.”
d) Opinion and Justification Questions
Example: “Should governments spend more money on public transport?”
State your opinion.
Give two strong reasons.
Sample Answer: “Yes, definitely. Investing in public transport can reduce traffic congestion and also lower pollution levels. For example, cities with efficient train systems usually have fewer cars on the road.”
6. Expanding Vocabulary and Ideas
To succeed in Part 3, you need to go beyond basic words. Learn topic-based vocabulary. Here are some common IELTS Part 3 themes:
When you practice, try to build a bank of examples: news stories, personal experiences, or things you’ve read. The more examples you can draw from, the easier it is to develop opinions under pressure.
7. Practice Techniques to Improve
Record Yourself Take 10 random Part 3 questions, answer them for 1–2 minutes each, and listen back. Check: Are you developing ideas logically? Do you repeat yourself too much?
Practice with a Timer Give yourself 30 seconds to prepare and then speak for 1 minute. This simulates exam conditions.
Debate with a Friend or Teacher Choose a topic and argue for or against it. This trains you to think critically and respond spontaneously.
Mind Map Method When you see a question, quickly think of 2–3 points: reasons, examples, effects. This mental map helps you expand naturally.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Answering too briefly: “Yes, I agree” is not enough. Always extend.
Going off-topic: Stay focused on the actual question.
Overusing fillers: Phrases like “you know” or “like” reduce clarity.
Speaking in memorized chunks only: Examiners can tell if you are reciting. Use natural language.
9. Model Extended Answer
Question: “Do you think it is important for children to learn foreign languages?”
Sample Answer (extended): “Yes, I think it’s extremely important. The main reason is that learning another language opens up more opportunities, both academically and professionally. For example, many companies today prefer employees who can speak English or other international languages, because it helps them connect with clients worldwide. Another benefit is cultural understanding—children who learn a foreign language often develop more open-minded attitudes. Of course, some people might argue that focusing too much on another language could weaken their knowledge of their mother tongue, but I believe with proper balance this is not a serious problem. So overall, foreign language education is definitely a valuable skill in today’s globalized world.”
Notice how this answer:
Gives a clear opinion.
Provides two strong reasons.
Uses an example.
Acknowledges the opposite view briefly.
Ends with a conclusion.
This is exactly the type of answer that can push your score into Band 7.0 or higher.
10. Final Tips
Don’t panic if you don’t know much about the topic—use general ideas and logical reasoning.
Always support your opinion with reasons and examples.
Use linking words like “firstly,” “in addition,” “on the other hand” to make your answer structured.
Practice with a wide variety of topics: education, environment, technology, society, culture, and work.
Conclusion
IELTS Speaking Part 3 is a chance to show that you can think critically, express opinions clearly, and develop arguments logically in English. By using the O-R-E-C formula (Opinion–Reason–Example–Conclusion), preparing useful phrases, expanding your vocabulary, and practicing with real questions, you can turn simple answers into confident, well-structured discussions.
Remember: examiners are not looking for perfection or deep academic knowledge. They want to see if you can communicate ideas fluently and coherently. With consistent practice, you can develop the skills to handle any Part 3 question and achieve a high band score.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 – FAQ: Developing Ideas and Opinions
What exactly is Part 3 and how is it different from Parts 1 and 2?
Part 3 is a two-way discussion that explores broader, more abstract issues linked to your Part 2 topic. Unlike Part 1 (short, personal) and Part 2 (a long turn about a specific cue card), Part 3 tests your capacity to analyze, evaluate, compare, speculate, and justify opinions. The examiner probes your reasoning with follow-up questions. Success depends on clarity, coherence, logical development, and flexible language—more than on personal anecdotes. Treat it like a mini academic discussion rather than a casual chat.
How long should each Part 3 answer be?
Aim for around 20–40 seconds per answer, sometimes up to a minute if the question is complex and you have clear, relevant points. Length is not directly scored, but development is. Provide a clear opinion, a couple of reasons, and an example or brief counterpoint. If the examiner interrupts, don’t panic—this often means they have heard enough for scoring purposes and want to explore the next angle or follow-up question.
What’s the best structure to develop ideas quickly?
Use a simple, repeatable framework: Opinion → Reason → Example → Conclusion. State your view clearly, explain why, illustrate with a concrete example (personal, societal, or hypothetical), and then close with a concise takeaway. For two-sided topics, you can add a balanced line before concluding (for example, “While there are benefits, the drawbacks in crowded cities are hard to ignore.”). This predictable pattern keeps you fluent and coherent.
What kinds of examples work best in Part 3?
Concise, illustrative, believable examples are ideal. You can use:
Personal but generalizable: “In my workplace, team chats replaced long emails, which sped up decisions.”
Social trends: “Many cities subsidize public transport to cut emissions and congestion.”
Hypothetical: “If remote learning includes live mentoring, it might close the gap for rural students.”
Avoid overly specific statistics you cannot justify. The goal is to illuminate your logic, not to deliver a research presentation.
Which phrases help me sound analytical and coherent?
Use signposting to guide the listener:
Opinion: “I’d argue that…”, “From my perspective…”
Reason: “This is mainly because…”, “A key driver is…”
Contrast: “That said…”, “On the other hand…”
Speculation: “It’s plausible that…”, “In the long run, it may…”
Conclusion: “Overall…”, “So, to sum up…”
These phrases slow the conversation just enough to organize your thoughts without sounding mechanical.
How can I broaden vocabulary without sounding memorized?
Build topic clusters (education, technology, environment, society, work) and learn families of words: innovation, innovative, innovate. Pair new words with collocations—renewable energy policy, work-life balance, digital literacy. Then practice aloud in varied sentences. If language feels pre-learned, vary your endings, add a spontaneous example, or rephrase key ideas. Authentic flexibility is rewarded more than perfect but robotic phrasing.
How do I think critically under time pressure?
Train a quick “idea map”: two reasons, one example, potential risk. For any question, mentally note a benefit, a drawback, and a contextual factor (cost, access, fairness, long-term impact). This gives you enough material to extend answers naturally. Also practice paraphrasing the question while you plan your first sentence—it buys you seconds and ensures you address the exact prompt instead of drifting.
How do I balance both sides of an argument?
Show you recognize complexity without losing your stance. Try: “While X offers clear advantages in terms of affordability and reach, Y raises concerns about equity and data privacy. Even so, on balance I support X because the benefits are more immediate.” Briefly acknowledging the counterview signals mature reasoning. Keep the opposing point concise—your goal is still to develop your own perspective convincingly.
How important are pronunciation and intonation in Part 3?
Very important. Examiners assess whether you are easy to understand throughout. Focus on word stress for key terms, sentence stress to highlight contrast, and thought groups (short chunks with brief pauses). Intonation should rise for open clauses and fall when you complete an idea. Clear delivery boosts perceived coherence and gives your arguments more impact even with ordinary vocabulary.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid?
Vague opinions: Hedging too much without a position.
Undeveloped answers: Stopping after “yes/no”.
Off-topic examples: Interesting but irrelevant stories.
Overusing fillers: “Like, you know, basically…”
Scripted monologues: Memorized paragraphs that don’t fit the exact question or follow-ups.
Aim for precise, relevant development instead.
How do I handle hesitation, pauses, or self-correction?
Use strategic “thinking phrases” sparingly: “Let me think for a second,” “There are two sides to this.” Keep repairs clean: “Actually, to clarify, what I mean is…” Brief pauses are natural; long silences and repeated restarts are not. If you lose your thread, summarize the last clear point and continue: “So, overall, accessibility is the main issue—especially for rural communities.”
What lifts an answer from Band 6 to Band 7 or 8?
Band 7+ answers show sustained development, flexible paraphrasing, and precise vocabulary. They integrate contrast, cause–effect, and examples smoothly, and they manage follow-up questions without breaking coherence. Grammar range matters: mix complex sentences (conditionals, concessions, relative clauses) with accurate simple forms. Pronunciation remains consistently intelligible, with controlled stress and rhythm that guide the listener through your reasoning.
How should I practice efficiently for sustained improvement?
Rotate three drills: timed answers (30 seconds plan + 45 seconds speak), debate flips (argue for, then against the same prompt), and targeted replays (record, transcribe briefly, upgrade vocabulary and structure, then re-record). Build a reusable bank of neutral examples applicable across topics (public transport, online learning, telemedicine, renewable energy, automation). Repetition with variation trains agility, not scripts.
Is it okay to memorize answers for Part 3?
Memorizing full answers is risky and counterproductive. Examiners can detect rehearsed language, especially when it doesn’t match the question’s angle. Instead, memorize frameworks, connectors, and adaptable example shells (short scenarios you can tailor). This keeps you spontaneous while ensuring you never face a question empty-handed. Flexibility and relevance beat perfection every time.
How do I politely disagree or show a nuanced view?
Use diplomatic starters: “I see the point, but…”, “That’s true to an extent; however…”, “With respect, the evidence suggests…”. Then offer a concrete reason or context: cost, feasibility, fairness, environmental impact, long-term vs short-term outcomes. Finish with a concise stance: “So, although subsidies are expensive initially, they pay off through cleaner air and productivity gains.”
How do I handle future, hypothetical, or compare/contrast questions?
For future: use cautious modals—may, might, likely to—and add a driver (“as AI matures” or “with cheaper broadband”). For hypotheticals: apply conditionals (“If rural areas had reliable internet, remote clinics could reduce travel burdens”). For comparisons: set clear criteria (cost, access, speed, equity) and weigh them. This makes your reasoning transparent and persuasive.
Do I need deep topic knowledge to score high?
No. IELTS evaluates communication, not specialist expertise. Use everyday logic, clear trade-offs, and plausible examples. If you’re unsure, frame your answer with reasoned probability: “It’s reasonable to expect… given current trends.” Avoid inventing dubious facts; clarity and coherence matter more than encyclopedic detail.
How do I finish an answer cleanly without repeating myself?
Close with a concise synthesis that echoes your main claim: “Overall, technology broadens access but requires strong privacy safeguards.” Avoid re-reading your whole argument. A crisp final sentence signals completion and invites the next question, keeping the discussion dynamic and controlled.
